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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Texas

14 Colleges in the United States
962 Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Degrees Awarded
$49,977 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 25 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 Texas

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 mental health counseling/counselor degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Mental Health Counseling/Counselor

1

Leading the list is Southern Methodist University, our #1 school for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 73 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $42,474 early in their careers. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Southern Methodist University

2

A rank of #2 makes Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center one of the top schools for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center generally make around $76,328. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center graduates carry a median of $24,889 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

3
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Lamar University graduates 37% of students within six years. There were roughly 214 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Lamar University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,271. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Lamar University

4

University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 29 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates carry a median of $23,628 in student loans. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for University Of St Thomas Texas

5

Students looking for a strong mental health counseling/counselor program will find one at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 111 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $44,785. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at The University Of Texas At San Antonio

6

Texas Womans University landed the #6 spot for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Womans University awarded about 57 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Texas Womans University earn around $62,324 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Womans University graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Texas Womans University

7

University Of Houston Victoria ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. There were roughly 14 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from University Of Houston Victoria earn around $47,345 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,081. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for University Of Houston Victoria

8

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #8 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $49,971. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from University Of Houston Clear Lake

9

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 32 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from The University Of Texas At El Paso earn around $49,428 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,819. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from The University Of Texas At El Paso

10

Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earned the #10 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earn a median of $49,489 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,759 to complete this degree. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio

11

Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #11 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Killeen. There were roughly 21 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Central Texas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $49,328 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,160. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at Texas A And M University Central Texas

12

Saint Edwards University placed #12 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 63% of students finish within six years. Saint Edwards University awarded about 104 mental health counseling/counselor degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $39,898 in their early career. Saint Edwards University graduates carry a median of $25,059 in student loans. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Saint Edwards University

13

University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earned the #13 position for mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Hardin Baylor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $47,322 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,782 to complete this degree. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at University Of Mary Hardin Baylor

14

Letourneau University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 24 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Letourneau University in the most recent year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Letourneau University earn a median of $53,569 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $32,086. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Letourneau University

15

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #15 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $47,130 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in mental health counseling/counselor from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi

16

Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 10 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Kingsville in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $44,510 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete this degree. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Texas A And M University Kingsville

17

Houston Baptist University placed #17 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. Houston Baptist University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 64 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Houston Baptist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $34,087 in their early career. Houston Baptist University graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Houston Baptist University

18

Hardin Simmons University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 mental health counseling/counselor degrees were awarded at Hardin Simmons University in the most recent year. Graduates of the mental health counseling/counselor program make about $41,857 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,674 to complete this degree. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Hardin Simmons University

19

Stephen F Austin State University placed #19 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their mental health counseling/counselor degree from Stephen F Austin State University earn around $44,254 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,759. See the full mental health counseling/counselor program report for Stephen F Austin State University

20
St Marys University crest
St Marys University
San Antonio, TX

St Marys University came in at #20 for mental health counseling/counselor this year. St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at St Marys University in the most recent data year. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of St Marys University earn a median of $41,496 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,040 to complete this degree. Read more about the mental health counseling/counselor program at St Marys University

21

Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Dallas placed #21 among the best mental health counseling/counselor schools. Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Dallas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Plano. There were roughly 16 mental health counseling/counselor students who graduated with this degree at Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Dallas in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Dallas generally make around $73,383. Get the full mental health counseling/counselor details for Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Dallas

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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 · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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