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2027 Best Student Counseling Schools in the The Plains States Region

29 Colleges in the United States
1,605 Student Counseling Degrees Awarded
$51,592 Avg Early-Career Salary

Student Counseling programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best student counseling schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Student Counseling in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall student counseling education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Student Counseling

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Columbia the best school in the country for a degree in student counseling. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 186 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $63,559. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. Get the full student counseling details for University Of Missouri Columbia

2
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in student counseling, ranking #2. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Drake University awarded about 32 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from Drake University earn around $54,800 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273. Get the full student counseling details for Drake University

3

Doane College Crete came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best student counseling schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Crete. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 25 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Doane College Crete in the most recent data year. Student Counseling graduates of Doane College Crete earn a median of $63,309 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,802 to complete this degree. Get the full student counseling details for Doane College Crete

4

Creighton University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 student counseling degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $49,254. Creighton University graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Get the full student counseling details for Creighton University

5

University Of North Dakota is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Dakota in the most recent data year. Student Counseling graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in student counseling from University Of North Dakota

6
Buena Vista University crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best student counseling schools. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 student counseling degrees were awarded at Buena Vista University in the most recent year. Student Counseling graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $49,397 early in their careers. Buena Vista University graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Read more about the student counseling program at Buena Vista University

7

Wichita State University placed #7 among the best student counseling schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 96 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from Wichita State University earn around $53,762 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,262. Read more about the student counseling program at Wichita State University

8

Chadron State College landed the #8 spot for student counseling this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Chadron. About 50% of students finish within six years. Chadron State College awarded about 26 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from Chadron State College earn around $57,719 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in student counseling from Chadron State College

9
Ottawa University Online crest
Ottawa University Online
Overland Park, KS

Ottawa University Online earned the #9 position for student counseling this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Ottawa University Online is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 student counseling degrees were awarded at Ottawa University Online in the most recent year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from Ottawa University Online earn around $51,615 in the first couple years of their career. Ottawa University Online graduates carry a median of $30,758 in student loans. Read more about the student counseling program at Ottawa University Online

10

Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #10 for student counseling this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 45 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead in the most recent data year. Student Counseling graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $48,510 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,447. See the full student counseling program report for Minnesota State University Moorhead

11
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University came in at #11 for student counseling this year. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 198 student counseling degrees were awarded at Walden University in the most recent year. Student Counseling graduates of Walden University earn a median of $70,972 early in their careers. Walden University graduates carry a median of $49,361 in student loans. Get the full student counseling details for Walden University

12
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #12 among the best student counseling schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 14 student counseling degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $48,327. Typical student debt for the program is $24,463. More information about a degree in student counseling from University Of Iowa

13

Wayne State College earned the #13 position for student counseling this year. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. Wayne State College graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $51,778 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete this degree. Read more about the student counseling program at Wayne State College

14
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University came in at #14 for student counseling this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. About 20% of students finish within six years. About 261 student counseling degrees were awarded at Capella University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $69,183. Typical student debt for the program is $35,998. Read more about the student counseling program at Capella University

15

University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #15 among the best student counseling schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,692. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete this degree. See the full student counseling program report for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

16

University Of Northern Iowa placed #16 among the best student counseling schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 student counseling degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $46,566 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete this degree. See the full student counseling program report for University Of Northern Iowa

17

North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for student counseling this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 22 student counseling degrees were awarded at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $52,154 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,153. Read more about the student counseling program at North Dakota State University Main Campus

18

University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #18 for student counseling this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kearney. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 59 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent data year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn around $47,366 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,173. More information about a degree in student counseling from University Of Nebraska At Kearney

19

Saint Cloud State University earned the #19 position for student counseling this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Saint Cloud State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Saint Cloud State University awarded about 16 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $48,473. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete this degree. Read more about the student counseling program at Saint Cloud State University

20

Kansas State University placed #20 among the best student counseling schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 67 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $47,436 in their early career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Get the full student counseling details for Kansas State University

21

Emporia State University came in at #21 for student counseling this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Emporia State University graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Emporia State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $57,008. Typical student debt for the program is $23,131. Read more about the student counseling program at Emporia State University

22

Missouri State University Springfield placed #22 among the best student counseling schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 45 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $45,995. Typical student debt for the program is $24,408. See the full student counseling program report for Missouri State University Springfield

23

University Of Missouri St Louis placed #23 among the best student counseling schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 66 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent data year. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $44,437 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete this degree. Get the full student counseling details for University Of Missouri St Louis

24

Concordia University Seward came in at #24 for student counseling this year. Set in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 student counseling degrees were awarded at Concordia University Seward in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Concordia University Seward generally make around $51,046. Typical student debt for the program is $26,726. Get the full student counseling details for Concordia University Seward

25

Southeast Missouri State University placed #25 among the best student counseling schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $45,743 in their early career. Southeast Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Read more about the student counseling program at Southeast Missouri State University

Rest of the Top 29 Student Counseling Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s student counseling ranking:

26
27
28
29
Stephens College crest
Stephens College
Columbia, MO

View All Student Counseling Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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