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2026 Best Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Great Lakes Region

28 Colleges in the United States
1,266 Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Degrees Awarded
$47,814 Avg Early-Career Salary

Mental Health Counseling/Counselor is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for mental health counseling/counselor students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Mental Health Counseling/Counselor in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the mental health counseling/counselor degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Mental Health Counseling/Counselor

1

No school ranked higher than Elgin Community College this year for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 28 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Typical student debt for the program is $7,727. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Elgin Community College

2
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 65 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $53,880 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete this degree. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Marquette University

3

Students looking for a strong mental health counseling/counselor program will find one at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 51 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $67,118 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $40,645. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago

4

A rank of #4 makes Bradley University one of the top schools for mental health counseling/counselor. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bradley University awarded about 46 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Bradley University earn around $50,358 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Bradley University

5

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 38 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Indiana University Bloomington

6

Western Michigan University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This large public university is located in the city of Kalamazoo. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Michigan University awarded about 23 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Western Michigan University

7

Northeastern Illinois University placed #7 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 22% of students finish within six years. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 39 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $50,825. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Northeastern Illinois University

8
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH

Capital University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Capital University graduates 60% of students within six years. Capital University awarded about 20 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Capital University earn a median of $46,516 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,269 to complete this degree. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Capital University

9

Ohio University Main Campus placed #9 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 24 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $40,516 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Ohio University Main Campus

10
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Xavier University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 64 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $47,839 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Xavier University

11

University Of Dayton came in at #11 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $42,415. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for University Of Dayton

12
Marian University Indiana crest
Marian University Indiana
Indianapolis, IN

Marian University Indiana ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Marian University Indiana awarded about 11 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Marian University Indiana earn a median of $49,784 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,633 to complete this degree. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Marian University Indiana

13
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #13 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 57 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Oakland University in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $46,551 early in their careers. Oakland University graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Oakland University

14
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #14 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Central Michigan University awarded about 44 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $40,333 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Central Michigan University

15

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $56,930 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

16

University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $49,730 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from University Of Wisconsin Stout

17

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #17 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 19 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $46,689 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $53,508. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

18
Viterbo University crest
Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

Viterbo University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of La Crosse. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 15 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Viterbo University in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Viterbo University earn a median of $46,100 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,107. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Viterbo University

19

Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 32 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $44,649. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete this degree. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

20
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University placed #20 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 36 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at John Carroll University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $47,866 in their early career. John Carroll University graduates carry a median of $26,131 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at John Carroll University

21
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

University Of Indianapolis came in at #21 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Indianapolis graduates 56% of students within six years. University Of Indianapolis awarded about 21 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from University Of Indianapolis earn around $52,298 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,699 to complete this degree. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of Indianapolis

22

Cleveland State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This large public university is located in the city of Cleveland. Cleveland State University graduates 51% of students within six years. Cleveland State University awarded about 62 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Cleveland State University earn around $49,648 in the first couple years of their career. Cleveland State University graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Cleveland State University

23
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College landed the #23 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. Parkland College awarded about 15 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Typical student debt for the program is $10,168. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Parkland College

24

Moody Bible Institute placed #24 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Moody Bible Institute is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Moody Bible Institute in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $40,708 in their early career. Moody Bible Institute graduates carry a median of $13,318 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Moody Bible Institute

25

Grace College And Theological Seminary ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grace College And Theological Seminary awarded about 28 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $46,139 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete this degree. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Grace College And Theological Seminary

Rest of the Top 40 Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools

These schools also placed among the best for mental health counseling/counselor this year:

26
27
28
29
30
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI
31
32
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
33
34
Malone University crest
Malone University
Canton, OH
35
Lakeland College crest
Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI
36
37
38
39
40
Ursuline College crest
Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 55 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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