by our College Data Analytics Team
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their student counseling graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the early-career earnings of their student counseling graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose student counseling graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Capella University, our #1 for student counseling graduate salaries in Minnesota. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,348.
Winona State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Minnesota State University Moorhead one of the highest-paying schools for student counseling. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Walden University one of the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,399.
Students chasing top earnings in student counseling will find them at Saint Cloud State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Student Counseling graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of about $52,107 a year early in their careers.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #6 spot for student counseling salaries this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Students who complete the student counseling program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,416.
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 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.