by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 59 U.S. colleges awarded 939 degrees and certificates in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 81% of graduates. College Factual ranks 32 schools in its 2027 Best Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $66,380 one year after completing, rising to $75,072 after four years.
A degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling covers Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/counselor. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Counsel And Assist Disabled Individuals And Recovering Patients In Order To Achieve Their Greatest Physical, Mental, Social, Educational, And Vocational Potential. Includes Instruction In Patient Evaluation And Testing, Rehabilitation Program Planning, Patient Support Services And Referral, Job Analysis, Adjustment Psychology, Rehabilitation Services Provision, Patient Counseling And Education, Applicable Law And Regulations, And Professional Standards And Ethics. Examples: [Rehabilitation Counseling], [Rehabilitation Services].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., vocational rehabilitation counseling is a popular field of study, with 939 degrees awarded annually. 59 colleges award vocational rehabilitation counseling degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 62.
By level, the 939 awards include 1 associate degrees, 165 bachelor’s degrees, 759 master’s degrees and 14 doctorates.
Women earned 81% of vocational rehabilitation counseling degrees and certificates in the latest year (757 of 939). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (396) and Hispanic or Latino (194), and international students earned 23.
College Factual ranks 32 schools in its 2027 Best Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Schools ranking, including 10 for bachelor’s degrees, 30 for master’s degrees and 15 for doctorates. It also ranks vocational rehabilitation counseling schools within 19 states. In all, 59 colleges offer vocational rehabilitation counseling programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common vocational rehabilitation counseling credential is the master’s degree: 759 of the 939 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to vocational rehabilitation counseling call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Instructing, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long a vocational rehabilitation counseling degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 165 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 759 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 14 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to vocational rehabilitation counseling, at 35.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 35.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 24.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 18.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, with an average median salary of $43,634; the strongest outlook belongs to Rehabilitation Counselors, at 12.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Veterinary Science Teacher, Educational Therapy Teacher, Teacher and Associate Professor.
The occupation related to vocational rehabilitation counseling with the most projected jobs is Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | 33,909 | 12.1% |
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling graduates earn a median $66,380 one year after completing their program, $75,072 after four years and $74,465 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $66,380 |
| 4 years | $75,072 |
| 5 years | $74,465 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to vocational rehabilitation counseling, with a median salary of $46,663.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $40,604 |
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling has 15 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 27,967 degrees a year; the largest are Physical Therapy/Therapist (13,798), Occupational Therapy/Therapist (9,835) and Rehabilitation Science (1,028). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapy/Therapist | 13,798 |
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist | 9,835 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 1,028 |
| Art Therapy/Therapist | 686 |
| Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy | 640 |
| Music Therapy/Therapist | 639 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other | 582 |
| Orthotist/Prosthetist | 302 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy | 115 |
| Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist | 96 |
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