2026 Best Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Leading the list is Southern Methodist University, our #1 school for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 73 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $42,474 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Southern Methodist University

2

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, ranking #2. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lubbock. About 32 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $76,328 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,889 to complete this degree. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

3

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 24 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $43,177. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of Arizona

4

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 37 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete this degree. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Northern Arizona University

5

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Lamar University graduates 37% of students within six years. About 214 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Lamar University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,271. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete this degree. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Lamar University

6

University Of St Thomas Texas
Houston, TX

University Of St Thomas Texas placed #6 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 29 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of St Thomas Texas

7

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #7 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 111 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $44,785 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from The University Of Texas At San Antonio

8

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University landed the #8 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Texas Womans University awarded about 57 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $62,324. Texas Womans University graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Texas Womans University

9

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $47,345 in their early career. University Of Houston Victoria graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from University Of Houston Victoria

10

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. About 16% of students finish within six years. University Of Phoenix Arizona awarded about 161 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $58,837. Students borrow a median of $35,323 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from University Of Phoenix Arizona

11

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #11 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. University Of Houston Clear Lake awarded about 31 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $49,971 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete this degree. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at University Of Houston Clear Lake

12

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College placed #12 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. About 12 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Mesa Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $54,730 in their early career. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Mesa Community College

13

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. About 50% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At El Paso awarded about 32 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $49,428 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,819. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at The University Of Texas At El Paso

14

Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio came in at #14 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 34 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio in the most recent year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earn around $49,489 in the first couple years of their career. Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio graduates carry a median of $26,759 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio

15

Chandler Gilbert Community College
Chandler, AZ

Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #15 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. There were roughly 15 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete this degree. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Chandler Gilbert Community College

16

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Las Cruces. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $36,563 in their early career. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,421 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at New Mexico State University Main Campus

17

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Killeen. About 21 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Central Texas in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $49,328 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete this degree. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Texas A And M University Central Texas

18

Saint Edwards University
Austin, TX

Saint Edwards University landed the #18 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Edwards University graduates 63% of students within six years. Saint Edwards University awarded about 104 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $39,898 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,059. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Saint Edwards University

19

Prescott College
Prescott, AZ

Prescott College landed the #19 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Prescott. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Prescott College awarded about 68 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $42,966 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,230 to complete this degree. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Prescott College

20

University Of Mary Hardin Baylor
Belton, TX

University Of Mary Hardin Baylor landed the #20 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belton. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Hardin Baylor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $47,322 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,782. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of Mary Hardin Baylor

21

Letourneau University
Longview, TX

Letourneau University earned the #21 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Longview. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Letourneau University in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Letourneau University earn a median of $53,569 early in their careers. Letourneau University graduates carry a median of $32,086 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Letourneau University

22

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University earned the #22 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Grand Canyon University graduates 44% of students within six years. Grand Canyon University awarded about 725 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $47,062. Students borrow a median of $39,560 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Grand Canyon University

23

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #23 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi awarded about 23 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $47,130. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi

24

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #24 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Texas A And M University Kingsville awarded about 10 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Texas A And M University Kingsville

25

Houston Baptist University
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University placed #25 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 49% of students finish within six years. Houston Baptist University awarded about 64 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Houston Baptist University earn around $34,087 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,601. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Houston Baptist University