2026 Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Our analysis ranked Michigan State University the best school in the country for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 16 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 Michigan State University generally make around $52,282. Typical student debt for the program is $25,213. Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Michigan State University

2

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

A rank of #2 makes Concordia University Chicago one of the top schools for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $74,696 in their early career. Concordia University Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Concordia University Chicago

3

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, ranking #3. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 20 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $56,337 early in their careers. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Lewis University

4

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 21 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $53,752 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,807 to complete this degree. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

5

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, ranking #5. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 46 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $49,958 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,306. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

6

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University placed #6 among the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 25 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $68,449 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for Northeastern Illinois University

7

Concordia University Wisconsin
Mequon, WI

Concordia University Wisconsin earned the #7 position for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Mequon. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Concordia University Wisconsin 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 Concordia University Wisconsin generally make around $52,538. Typical student debt for the program is $27,172. Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Concordia University Wisconsin

8

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls came in at #8 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin River Falls in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $55,454 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin River Falls graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for University Of Wisconsin River Falls

9

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University earned the #9 position for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 39 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from Grand Valley State University earn around $50,498 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,378. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Grand Valley State University

10

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton landed the #10 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. University Of Dayton awarded about 11 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 University Of Dayton generally make around $44,510. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for University Of Dayton

11

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Indianapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 12 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from Butler University earn around $54,880 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Butler University

12

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #12 among the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 18 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,186. Typical student debt for the program is $27,857. Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Central Michigan University

13

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $52,167 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Northern Illinois University

14

John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University placed #14 among the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of University Heights. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 12 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at John Carroll University in the most recent year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of John Carroll University earn a median of $44,308 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,131 to complete this degree. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for John Carroll University

15

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University came in at #15 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 55 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $47,990 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,689. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Wayne State University

16

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University earned the #16 position for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 83% of students finish within six years. Marquette University awarded about 10 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $60,443 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,122. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for Marquette University

17

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #17 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oshkosh. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 28 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 $46,263 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

18

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University came in at #18 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $47,120 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,981. Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Western Michigan University

19

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #19 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 31 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 Eastern Illinois University generally make around $45,390. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Eastern Illinois University

20

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #20 among the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. Oakland University awarded about 10 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 $47,622 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,972. Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Oakland University

21

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #21 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 23 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $50,177 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete this degree. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

22

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University placed #22 among the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 13 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $57,401. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for Bradley University

23

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University landed the #23 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from Eastern Michigan University earn around $48,103 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Eastern Michigan University

24

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University placed #24 among the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. About 45% of students finish within six years. About 14 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Western Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $42,905. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete this degree. Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for Western Illinois University

25

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 13 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Indiana State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from Indiana State University earn around $45,814 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,582. See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Indiana State University