2026 Best Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in California

1

Palo Alto University
Palo Alto, CA

Palo Alto University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the rural area of Palo Alto, Palo Alto University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Palo Alto University awarded about 96 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Palo Alto University generally make around $59,295. Palo Alto University graduates carry a median of $20,334 in student loans. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Palo Alto University

2

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

Students looking for a strong mental health counseling/counselor program will find one at San Francisco State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 12 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from San Francisco State University earn around $59,756 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at San Francisco State University

3

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Aliso Viejo, CA

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System awarded about 13 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn a median of $65,898 early in their careers. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System graduates carry a median of $27,471 in student loans. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

4

University Of Redlands
Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, ranking #4. 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%. University Of Redlands awarded about 21 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $60,273 early in their careers. University Of Redlands graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at University Of Redlands

5

The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles awarded about 105 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles earn around $54,966 in the first couple years of their career. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $32,107 in student loans. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles