2026 Best Counseling Psychology Schools in South Dakota

Counseling Psychology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best counseling psychology schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Counseling Psychology Schools in South Dakota

Best Schools for Counseling Psychology in South Dakota

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 counseling psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Counseling Psychology

1

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

50 Counseling Psychology Degrees Awarded

$45,975 Median Starting Salary

South Dakota State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in counseling psychology. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. South Dakota State University awarded about 50 counseling psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counseling psychology degree from South Dakota State University earn around $45,975 in the first couple years of their career. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. See the full counseling psychology program report for South Dakota State University

2

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

26 Counseling Psychology Degrees Awarded

$48,320 Median Starting Salary

University Of South Dakota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in counseling psychology, ranking #2. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 26 counseling psychology degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $48,320 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,322. Get the full counseling psychology details for University Of South Dakota

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 · 4 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.