Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 124 schools to find the best for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/offers.json"
DEBUG: Checking offer "Educational Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Educational Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Child Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Child Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Child Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Child Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Child Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Child Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counselor Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Counselor Education (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 12
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 12 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 12
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 3 offers with relevance >= 1.0
Best Schools for Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services in the Southeast 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
George Mason University tops our 2026 ranking of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 53 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $57,681 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
Get the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services details for George Mason University
University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 27 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $55,919 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans.
See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $63,139 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792.
See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for University Of Georgia
Students looking for a strong counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 16 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,566 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117.
More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
A rank of #5 makes Clemson University one of the top schools for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Clemson University awarded about 110 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 Clemson University earn around $48,353 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,783.
See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Clemson University
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $42,686 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,472 in student loans.
More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from University Of South Carolina Columbia
James Madison University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $49,231 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from James Madison University
College Of William And Mary came in at #8 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. College Of William And Mary awarded about 130 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 College Of William And Mary generally make around $48,083. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans.
Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at College Of William And Mary
University Of Florida landed the #9 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from University Of Florida earn around $48,924 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from University Of Florida
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #10 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 41 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $46,032. Typical student debt for the program is $22,754.
Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Middle Tennessee State University
Florida State University earned the #11 position for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 113 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $60,249 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Florida State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #12 position for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $50,118. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete this degree.
See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Lindsey Wilson College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lindsey Wilson College graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Lindsey Wilson College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $37,808 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,119.
See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Lindsey Wilson College
University Of Central Florida placed #14 among the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 85 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $45,569 in their early career. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans.
Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at University Of Central Florida
Florida Atlantic University landed the #15 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 73 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $53,838 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,212.
More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Florida Atlantic University
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #16 position for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 37 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 Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $53,756. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813.
Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Virginia Commonwealth University
Wake Forest University earned the #17 position for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 110 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Students who receive their counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree from Wake Forest University earn around $45,173 in the first couple years of their career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans.
See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Wake Forest University
Auburn University landed the #18 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Auburn University awarded about 48 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 Auburn University earn around $46,449 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree.
See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for Auburn University
Mercer University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Macon. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Mercer University in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $52,203 early in their careers. Mercer University graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans.
Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Mercer University
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #20 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. University Of The Cumberlands awarded about 223 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 $50,309 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,868.
See the full counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program report for University Of The Cumberlands
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #21 position for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 16 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 $46,120 in their early career. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans.
More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Appalachian State University landed the #22 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $46,856 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,992.
More information about a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services from Appalachian State University
Lipscomb University came in at #23 for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $48,949 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Lipscomb University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree.
Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
West Virginia University earned the #25 position for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program make about $50,543 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772.
Read more about the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program at West Virginia University
Rest of the Top 50 Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s counselor education/school counseling & guidance services ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 124 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).