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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

35 Colleges in the United States
1,691 Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Degrees Awarded
$50,852 Avg Early-Career Salary

Mental Health Counseling/Counselor degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 72 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for mental health counseling/counselor students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Mental Health Counseling/Counselor in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall mental health counseling/counselor education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Mental Health Counseling/Counselor

1

George Washington University tops our 2026 ranking of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 28 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $56,852 early in their careers. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from George Washington University

2

Fordham University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 41 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $48,341 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Fordham University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Rochester one of the top schools for mental health counseling/counselor. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rochester in the most recent data 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. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete this degree. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for University Of Rochester

4
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Students looking for a strong mental health counseling/counselor program will find one at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #4. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 64 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $50,493 early in their careers. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Cuny Hunter College

5

A rank of #5 makes Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine one of the top schools for mental health counseling/counselor. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 45 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine in the most recent year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine earn around $50,635 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

6

University At Buffalo placed #6 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Buffalo. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University At Buffalo awarded about 34 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at University At Buffalo

7

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. About 72 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

8

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #8 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students 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. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

9

St Johns University New York ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. St Johns University New York graduates 66% of students within six years. About 26 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at St Johns University New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $59,299 in their early career. St Johns University New York graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for St Johns University New York

10

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #10 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 111 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn around $55,275 in the first couple years of their 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

11

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #11 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 20 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $52,721. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

12
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College placed #12 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. About 17 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Marist College earn a median of $49,936 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,962. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Marist College

13

Pace University New York ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Pace University New York graduates 60% of students within six years. About 65 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Pace University New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $49,125 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,670. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Pace University New York

14
Monmouth University crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ

Monmouth University came in at #14 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Monmouth University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Monmouth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Monmouth University earn around $53,196 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,847 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Monmouth University

15
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University came in at #15 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Saint Josephs University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 15 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $65,421 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete this degree. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Saint Josephs University

16
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University placed #16 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Yeshiva University graduates 85% of students within six years. About 25 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Yeshiva University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $52,838 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,625. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Yeshiva University

17
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. About 61% of students finish within six years. Rider University awarded about 33 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $51,657. Rider University graduates carry a median of $26,241 in student loans. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Rider University

18
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #18 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 27 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $53,103 in their early career. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Suny At Albany

19
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University earned the #19 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 40 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Adelphi University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $47,687 in their early career. Adelphi University graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Adelphi University

20

Pennsylvania Western University came in at #20 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. This large public university is located in the town of California. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 46 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Pennsylvania Western University

21
Hood College crest
Hood College
Frederick, MD

Hood College landed the #21 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Hood College graduates 57% of students within six years. Hood College awarded about 28 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Hood College earn a median of $56,107 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,703 to complete this degree. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Hood College

22

Suny College At Oswego placed #22 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. Suny College At Oswego graduates 60% of students within six years. About 24 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Suny College At Oswego in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $51,339 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete this degree. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Suny College At Oswego

23
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College landed the #23 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Touro College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Touro College earn around $48,131 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,285. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Touro College

24
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College placed #24 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Mercy College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Mercy College earn around $56,693 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,304. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Mercy College

25
Molloy College crest
Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY

Molloy College came in at #25 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 16 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Molloy College in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $65,544 early in their careers. Molloy College graduates carry a median of $27,420 in student loans. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Molloy College

Rest of the Top 50 Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental health counseling/counselor ranking:

26
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Alfred University crest
Alfred University
Alfred, NY
35
Centenary College crest
Centenary College
Hackettstown, NJ
36
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
37
38
39
40
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
41
42
43
44
45
Canisius College crest
Canisius College
Buffalo, NY
46
47
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE
48
49
50
Carlow University crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA

Narrow Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 72 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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