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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Student Counseling Schools in the Far Western Region

26 Colleges in the United States
2,278 Student Counseling Degrees Awarded
$57,532 Avg Early-Career Salary

Student Counseling 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 53 schools to find the best for student counseling students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Student Counseling in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall student counseling education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Student Counseling

1

Leading the list is University Of Southern California, our #1 school for student counseling. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 164 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $52,999 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Read more about the student counseling program at University Of Southern California

2

Students looking for a strong student counseling program will find one at Concordia University Irvine, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Concordia University Irvine graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 128 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $68,850. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in student counseling from Concordia University Irvine

3

California State University Long Beach is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 47 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $58,659. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. More information about a degree in student counseling from California State University Long Beach

4

A rank of #4 makes Loyola Marymount University one of the top schools for student counseling. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 49 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from Loyola Marymount University earn around $56,575 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans. Get the full student counseling details for Loyola Marymount University

5
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 85 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Seattle University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from Seattle University earn around $68,242 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,289. More information about a degree in student counseling from Seattle University

6

Fresno Pacific University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best student counseling schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fresno. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 78 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Fresno Pacific University in the most recent data year. Student Counseling graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $80,354 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,596. Read more about the student counseling program at Fresno Pacific University

7

California Lutheran University placed #7 among the best student counseling schools. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 60 student counseling degrees were awarded at California Lutheran University in the most recent year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $61,749 in their early career. California Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $22,727 in student loans. Read more about the student counseling program at California Lutheran University

8

University Of La Verne earned the #8 position for student counseling this year. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. About 144 student counseling degrees were awarded at University Of La Verne in the most recent year. Student Counseling graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314. Get the full student counseling details for University Of La Verne

9

Azusa Pacific University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best student counseling schools. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 48 student counseling degrees were awarded at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from Azusa Pacific University earn around $58,302 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete this degree. See the full student counseling program report for Azusa Pacific University

10

Alliant International University placed #10 among the best student counseling schools. Located in the city of San Diego, Alliant International University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. About 72 student counseling degrees were awarded at Alliant International University in the most recent year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $62,285 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,234 to complete this degree. Get the full student counseling details for Alliant International University

11

California State University Sacramento ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best student counseling schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $59,543 in their early career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. See the full student counseling program report for California State University Sacramento

12

San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot for student counseling this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 50 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $73,361. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in student counseling from San Francisco State University

13

San Jose State University earned the #13 position for student counseling this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 63 student counseling degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Read more about the student counseling program at San Jose State University

14

University Of Redlands placed #14 among the best student counseling schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Redlands. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at University Of Redlands in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $62,205. University Of Redlands graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Get the full student counseling details for University Of Redlands

15

California State University Fresno earned the #15 position for student counseling this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 74 student counseling degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $46,137 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. More information about a degree in student counseling from California State University Fresno

16
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University earned the #16 position for student counseling this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. National University awarded about 138 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling 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 student counseling from National University

17

Seattle Pacific University earned the #17 position for student counseling this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 32 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $69,340 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree. See the full student counseling program report for Seattle Pacific University

18

San Diego State University came in at #18 for student counseling this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 student counseling degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from San Diego State University earn around $52,062 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,417. Get the full student counseling details for San Diego State University

19

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earned the #19 position for student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. There were roughly 100 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $68,207 in their early career. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System graduates carry a median of $27,471 in student loans. More information about a degree in student counseling from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

20

California State University Northridge came in at #20 for student counseling this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 50 student counseling degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $57,751. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. See the full student counseling program report for California State University Northridge

21

California State University San Bernardino came in at #21 for student counseling this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Bernardino. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 student counseling degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $42,421 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in student counseling from California State University San Bernardino

22

California State University Fullerton placed #22 among the best student counseling schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 58 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $54,471 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525. Get the full student counseling details for California State University Fullerton

23

Lewis And Clark College placed #23 among the best student counseling schools. Located in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Lewis And Clark College graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Lewis And Clark College in the most recent data year. Student Counseling graduates of Lewis And Clark College earn a median of $62,071 early in their careers. Lewis And Clark College graduates carry a median of $23,301 in student loans. See the full student counseling program report for Lewis And Clark College

24

Chapman University earned the #24 position for student counseling this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chapman University awarded about 21 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $50,538. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete this degree. Read more about the student counseling program at Chapman University

25

California State University Los Angeles earned the #25 position for student counseling this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 122 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $67,075 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,430. Read more about the student counseling program at California State University Los Angeles

Rest of the Top 39 Student Counseling Schools

These schools also placed among the best for student counseling 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
39

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 53 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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