by our College Data Analytics Team
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their student counseling graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying student counseling schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose student counseling graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Doane College Crete, our #1 for student counseling graduate salaries in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Crete, Doane College Crete is a private not-for-profit institution. Student Counseling graduates of Doane College Crete earn a median of about $63,309 a year early in their careers.
Chadron State College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Chadron State College is a public school located in the town of Chadron. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,719.
Students chasing top earnings in student counseling will find them at Capella University, which ranked #3. Capella University is a private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Student Counseling graduates of Capella University earn a median of about $57,348 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Wichita State University one of the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Wichita State University is a public school located in the city of Wichita. Student Counseling graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of about $59,671 a year early in their careers.
Drake University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Drake University make a median of around $57,898 per year.
Emporia State University landed the #6 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,371.
Fort Hays State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Fort Hays State University is a public school located in the town of Hays. Student Counseling graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of about $56,666 a year early in their careers.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of about $58,849 a year early in their careers.
Northern State University earned the #9 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Northern State University earn a median of about $54,761 a year early in their careers.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public school located in the town of Kearney. Early-career student counseling graduates from University Of Nebraska At Kearney make a median of around $64,586 per year.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #11 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school located in the city of Columbia. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,354.
Winona State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. Winona State University is a public school located in the town of Winona. Early-career student counseling graduates from Winona State University make a median of around $58,543 per year.
Buena Vista University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Early-career student counseling graduates from Buena Vista University make a median of around $57,279 per year.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #14 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of about $57,195 a year early in their careers.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #15 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,951.
Walden University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying student counseling schools. Walden University is a private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Student Counseling graduates of Walden University earn a median of about $51,399 a year early in their careers.
Wayne State College earned the #17 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,391.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City typically earn about $56,293 annually.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #19 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Saint Cloud State University is a public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,107.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #20 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public school located in the city of Mankato. Early-career student counseling graduates from Minnesota State University Mankato make a median of around $54,416 per year.
University Of North Dakota placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. University Of North Dakota is a public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,340.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #22 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. University Of Northern Iowa is a public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $53,462 a year early in their careers.
Kansas State University came in at #23 for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Kansas State University make a median of around $52,008 per year.
Creighton University earned the #24 position for student counseling graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Creighton University typically earn about $49,254 annually.
University Of Iowa placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Iowa typically earn about $48,327 annually.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid student counseling ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their student counseling graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 32 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
