Mental Health Counseling/Counselor 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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 330 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for mental health counseling/counselor students pursuing a degree.
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Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 school for mental health counseling/counselor. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 39 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $61,488 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, ranking #2. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $56,852 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
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Fordham University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $48,341 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,643.
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Massachusetts School Of Professional Psychology came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Newton. There were roughly 66 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts School Of Professional Psychology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Massachusetts School Of Professional Psychology earn around $68,454 in the first couple years of their career.
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Students looking for a strong mental health counseling/counselor program will find one at Fairfield University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Fairfield University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 22 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Fairfield University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Fairfield University generally make around $52,092. Fairfield University graduates carry a median of $26,687 in student loans.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Fairfield University
University Of Rochester came in at #6 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 34 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from University Of Rochester earn around $48,836 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,517.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of Rochester
Palo Alto University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. 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. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Palo Alto University earn a median of $59,295 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,334 to complete this degree.
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University Of Miami earned the #8 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 24 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $48,813 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree.
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Southern Methodist University landed the #9 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 73 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $42,474. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree.
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Cuny Hunter College landed the #10 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 62 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $50,493 in their early career. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans.
More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Cuny Hunter College
Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine landed the #11 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 45 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine generally make around $50,635.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine
Marymount University earned the #12 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Marymount University awarded about 39 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Marymount University generally make around $55,202. Students borrow a median of $26,880 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Marymount University
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
San Francisco State University earned the #14 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 12 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $59,756 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024.
More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from San Francisco State University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #15 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 30 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
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Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System placed #16 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. 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. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $65,898 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,471 to complete this degree.
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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 32 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn around $76,328 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,889 to complete this degree.
Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
St Johns University New York earned the #18 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at St Johns University New York in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from St Johns University New York earn around $59,299 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,521.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for St Johns University New York
Lewis And Clark College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Portland. About 75% of students finish within six years. Lewis And Clark College awarded about 50 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $52,558 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,301.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Lewis And Clark College
University Of Redlands ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at University Of Redlands in the most recent 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.
More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from University Of Redlands
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #21 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 111 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $55,275 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete this degree.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
Marquette University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 65 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $53,880 early in their careers. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Marquette University
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #23 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $52,721 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete this degree.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
Marist College placed #24 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 17 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Marist College earn around $49,936 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,962.
See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Marist College
Sacred Heart University came in at #25 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 30 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Sacred Heart University in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831.
Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Sacred Heart University
Rest of the Top 50 Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong mental health counseling/counselor education:
This ranking is produced 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 · 330 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).
