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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Far Western Region

25 Colleges in the United States
2,105 Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Degrees Awarded
$57,657 Avg Early-Career Salary

Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services programs.

College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services in the Far Western 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 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services

1

University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 121 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $52,999 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from University Of Southern California

2

Concordia University Irvine is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Irvine. About 58% of students finish within six years. Concordia University Irvine awarded about 128 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $68,850. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete this degree. Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Concordia University Irvine

3

California State University Long Beach came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 47 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $58,659 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from California State University Long Beach

4

Loyola Marymount University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 39 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $56,575 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for Loyola Marymount University

5
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. Seattle University awarded about 29 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from Seattle University earn around $68,242 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Seattle University

6

Fresno Pacific University placed #6 among the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Fresno Pacific University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 78 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Fresno Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from Fresno Pacific University earn around $80,354 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Fresno Pacific University

7

California Lutheran University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Thousand Oaks. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California Lutheran University awarded about 31 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of $61,749 early in their careers. California Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for California Lutheran University

8

University Of La Verne came in at #8 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Verne. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 144 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from University Of La Verne earn around $35,364 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete this degree. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for University Of La Verne

9

Azusa Pacific University landed the #9 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Azusa Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 48 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Typical student debt for the program is $23,709. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Azusa Pacific University

10

Alliant International University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Alliant International University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Alliant International University awarded about 72 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from Alliant International University earn around $62,285 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,234 to complete this degree. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for Alliant International University

11

California State University Sacramento came in at #11 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. California State University Sacramento awarded about 59 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $59,543 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from California State University Sacramento

12

San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $73,361 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024. Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at San Francisco State University

13

San Jose State University placed #13 among the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 63 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for San Jose State University

14

University Of Redlands ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 25 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at University Of Redlands in the most recent year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from University Of Redlands earn around $62,205 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete this degree. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for University Of Redlands

15

California State University Fresno came in at #15 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fresno awarded about 74 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $46,137 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,598. Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at California State University Fresno

16
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University came in at #16 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 138 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $64,585 in their early career. National University graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from National University

17

Seattle Pacific University landed the #17 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 32 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $69,340. Typical student debt for the program is $25,188. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Seattle Pacific University

18

San Diego State University landed the #18 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $52,062 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417. Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at San Diego State University

19

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earned the #19 position for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System awarded about 100 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System generally make around $68,207. Typical student debt for the program is $27,471. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

20

California State University Northridge placed #20 among the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $57,751 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete this degree. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for California State University Northridge

21

California State University San Bernardino landed the #21 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 47 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $42,421 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,149. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for California State University San Bernardino

22

California State University Fullerton landed the #22 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 58 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for California State University Fullerton

23

Lewis And Clark College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Portland. About 75% of students finish within six years. Lewis And Clark College awarded about 30 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $62,071 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,301. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for Lewis And Clark College

24

Chapman University came in at #24 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. Chapman University awarded about 21 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $50,538. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Chapman University

25

California State University Los Angeles came in at #25 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 109 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $67,075 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,430. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from California State University Los Angeles

Rest of the Top 38 Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools

These schools also placed among the best for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year:

26
27
28
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
29
30
31
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA
32
La Sierra University crest
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA
33
34
35
36
37
38

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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