2026 Best Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Southeast Region
Mental Health Counseling/Counselor degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their mental health counseling/counselor programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 68 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 Southeast 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
Leading the list is University Of Miami, our #1 school for mental health counseling/counselor. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 24 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $48,813. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree.
Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for University Of Miami
A rank of #2 makes Marymount University one of the top schools for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Marymount University awarded about 39 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Marymount University earn a median of $55,202 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,880 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Marymount University
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $35,991 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of Florida
A rank of #4 makes Belmont University one of the top schools for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $49,699 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong mental health counseling/counselor program will find one at East Carolina University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 35 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $47,542 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,747.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for East Carolina University
University Of North Florida earned the #6 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Florida in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $45,840 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,523.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of North Florida
Agnes Scott College placed #7 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of Decatur, Agnes Scott College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Agnes Scott College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $28,191 in their early career. Agnes Scott College graduates carry a median of $26,811 in student loans.
Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Agnes Scott College
University Of West Alabama earned the #8 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at University Of West Alabama in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $53,270 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,894.
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University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #9 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $46,855. University Of Alabama At Birmingham graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Lipscomb University placed #10 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 30 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $34,077. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
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Marshall University landed the #11 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. This large public university is located in the city of Huntington. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 13 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Marshall University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Marshall University earn around $48,028 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250.
More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Marshall University
Mercer University landed the #12 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. Mercer University graduates 70% of students within six years. Mercer University awarded about 64 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $41,850. Students borrow a median of $32,463 to complete this degree.
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University Of Central Arkansas earned the #13 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 19 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Arkansas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $38,566. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of Central Arkansas
Catawba College landed the #14 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Catawba College awarded about 18 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $37,894 early in their careers. Catawba College graduates carry a median of $25,667 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Catawba College
Lynn University landed the #15 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. About 52% of students finish within six years. Lynn University awarded about 38 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $50,569 in their early career. Lynn University graduates carry a median of $21,391 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Lynn University
University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #16 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. This large public university is located in the city of Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. University Of Louisiana Lafayette awarded about 22 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $42,873. Typical student debt for the program is $24,373.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Northern Kentucky University landed the #17 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Kentucky University awarded about 15 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $52,565 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Northern Kentucky University
Rollins College landed the #18 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Rollins College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $40,403 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,203 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Rollins College
Lincoln Memorial University came in at #19 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 13 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $64,307 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete this degree.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Lincoln Memorial University
Loyola University New Orleans ranked #20 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 New Orleans. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University New Orleans awarded about 28 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $41,721 in their early career. Loyola University New Orleans graduates carry a median of $26,606 in student loans.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Loyola University New Orleans
John Brown University placed #21 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Siloam Springs. John Brown University graduates 72% of students within six years. John Brown University awarded about 71 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from John Brown University generally make around $46,451. Students borrow a median of $25,216 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at John Brown University
Southern Wesleyan University landed the #22 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 24 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Southern Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $43,539 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,554 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Southern Wesleyan University
Eastern Mennonite University landed the #23 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 14 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Eastern Mennonite University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $44,202 in their early career. Eastern Mennonite University graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Eastern Mennonite University
Xavier University Of Louisiana ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Xavier University Of Louisiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 14 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Xavier University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Xavier University Of Louisiana generally make around $46,854. Xavier University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $26,777 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Xavier University Of Louisiana
Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #25 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lenoir Rhyne University awarded about 57 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Lenoir Rhyne University earn around $42,066 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete this degree.
Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Lenoir Rhyne University
Rest of the Top 46 Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 68 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.