by our College Data Analytics Team
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying student counseling schools.
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Below are the schools whose student counseling graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in student counseling, no school beat Doane College Crete this year. Doane College Crete is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crete. Early-career student counseling graduates from Doane College Crete make a median of around $63,309 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Chadron State College earned it the #2 place for student counseling. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from Chadron State College make a median of around $57,719 per year.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska At Kearney one of the highest-paying schools for student counseling. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. Early-career student counseling graduates from University Of Nebraska At Kearney make a median of around $64,586 per year.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha produces some of the highest-paid graduates in student counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public school located in the city of Omaha. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha typically earn about $57,195 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in student counseling will find them at Wayne State College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a public institution. After graduating, student counseling degree recipients from Wayne State College typically earn about $50,391 annually.
Creighton University came in at #6 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.
This list is compiled 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.