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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Student Counseling Schools in the Southeast Region

81 Colleges in the United States
4,230 Student Counseling Degrees Awarded
$47,568 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.

College Factual analyzed 129 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best student counseling schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Student Counseling 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 student counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Student Counseling

1

Our analysis ranked George Mason University the best school in the country for a degree in student counseling. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from George Mason University earn around $57,681 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. Get the full student counseling details for George Mason University

2

University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in student counseling, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 27 student counseling degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $55,919. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. Get the full student counseling details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

3

University Of Georgia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 54 student counseling degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from University Of Georgia earn around $63,139 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Get the full student counseling details for University Of Georgia

4

Students looking for a strong student counseling 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. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 16 student counseling degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $48,566 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in student counseling from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

5
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. 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 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Student Counseling graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $48,353 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,783. Read more about the student counseling program at Clemson University

6

University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #6 for student counseling this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 81 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $42,686. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in student counseling from University Of South Carolina Columbia

7

East Carolina University landed the #7 spot for student counseling this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from East Carolina University earn around $47,601 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,747. Get the full student counseling details for East Carolina University

8
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best student counseling schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 23 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their student counseling degree from James Madison University earn around $49,231 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree. Get the full student counseling details for James Madison University

9

College Of William And Mary ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best student counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. College Of William And Mary awarded about 130 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $48,083. Typical student debt for the program is $18,935. Read more about the student counseling program at College Of William And Mary

10
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #10 spot for student counseling this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 49 student counseling degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $48,924 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669. More information about a degree in student counseling from University Of Florida

11

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best student counseling schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $46,032. Typical student debt for the program is $22,754. More information about a degree in student counseling from Middle Tennessee State University

12
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #12 spot for student counseling this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 113 student counseling degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $60,249 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,488. More information about a degree in student counseling from Florida State University

13

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #13 for student counseling this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 63 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $50,118. Typical student debt for the program is $22,113. Get the full student counseling details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

14

Lindsey Wilson College came in at #14 for student counseling this year. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Lindsey Wilson College awarded about 11 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College generally make around $37,808. Typical student debt for the program is $24,119. See the full student counseling program report for Lindsey Wilson College

15

University Of Central Florida placed #15 among the best student counseling schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. University Of Central Florida awarded about 85 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $45,569 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete this degree. Read more about the student counseling program at University Of Central Florida

16

Florida Atlantic University came in at #16 for student counseling this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. Florida Atlantic University awarded about 73 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $53,838. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. See the full student counseling program report for Florida Atlantic University

17

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #17 among the best student counseling schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 37 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $53,756. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813. Get the full student counseling details for Virginia Commonwealth University

18
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #18 position for student counseling 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. There were roughly 111 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Student Counseling graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $45,173 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577. Read more about the student counseling program at Wake Forest University

19
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #19 for student counseling this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 48 student counseling degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Student Counseling graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $46,449 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. Read more about the student counseling program at Auburn University

20

Mercer University placed #20 among the best student counseling schools. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Mercer University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $52,203 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $32,463. See the full student counseling program report for Mercer University

21

University Of The Cumberlands placed #21 among the best student counseling schools. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 223 student counseling degrees were awarded at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $50,309. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete this degree. Read more about the student counseling program at University Of The Cumberlands

22

The University Of Tennessee placed #22 among the best student counseling schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $47,236. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete this degree. Get the full student counseling details for The University Of Tennessee

23

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #23 for student counseling this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 16 student counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling 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. Get the full student counseling details for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

24

Appalachian State University landed the #24 spot for student counseling 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. There were roughly 68 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Student Counseling graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $46,856 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete this degree. See the full student counseling program report for Appalachian State University

25
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University placed #25 among the best student counseling schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 student counseling students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the student counseling program make about $48,949 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Get the full student counseling details for Lipscomb University

Rest of the Top 50 Student Counseling Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong student counseling education:

26
27
28
Spalding University crest
Spalding University
Louisville, KY
29
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
30
31
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
32
33
34
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA
35
36
37
38
39
40
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
41
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY
42
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
43
44
45
46
47
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
48
49
50

Additional Student Counseling Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for student counseling this year:

Rank School Location
#59 University Of West Georgia Carrollton, GA
#75 Arkansas State University Main Campus Jonesboro, AR

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for student counseling:

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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 · 129 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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