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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

20 Colleges in the United States
1,279 Counseling Psychology Degrees Awarded
$52,075 Avg Early-Career Salary

Counseling Psychology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 38 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for counseling psychology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Counseling Psychology in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall counseling psychology education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Counseling Psychology

1

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for counseling psychology. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 22 counseling psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $39,808. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full counseling psychology details for University Of Chicago

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in counseling psychology, ranking #2. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 counseling psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their counseling psychology degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $55,617 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813. More information about a degree in counseling psychology from University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in counseling psychology, ranking #3. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 330 counseling psychology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counseling psychology program make about $43,591 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the counseling psychology program at Northwestern University

4

Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 counseling psychology students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counseling psychology program make about $67,469 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. Read more about the counseling psychology program at Loyola University Chicago

5

Students looking for a strong counseling psychology program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 10 counseling psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Get the full counseling psychology details for Illinois State University

6

Wayne State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best counseling psychology schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 12 counseling psychology degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their counseling psychology degree from Wayne State University earn around $58,918 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete this degree. Get the full counseling psychology details for Wayne State University

7
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best counseling psychology schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Governors State University graduates 21% of students within six years. About 26 counseling psychology degrees were awarded at Governors State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $52,581. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete this degree. Get the full counseling psychology details for Governors State University

8

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #8 among the best counseling psychology schools. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global awarded about 13 counseling psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counseling psychology degree from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn around $40,706 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $38,759. Get the full counseling psychology details for Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

9

North Park University landed the #9 spot for counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 19 counseling psychology students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counseling psychology degree from North Park University earn around $55,960 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,360. More information about a degree in counseling psychology from North Park University

10

Western Michigan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 counseling psychology students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Counseling Psychology graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $57,368 early in their careers. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full counseling psychology program report for Western Michigan University

11

Ball State University came in at #11 for counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Ball State University awarded about 36 counseling psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counseling psychology degree from Ball State University earn around $64,930 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,075. See the full counseling psychology program report for Ball State University

12

Concordia University Wisconsin ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best counseling psychology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Mequon. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 counseling psychology degrees were awarded at Concordia University Wisconsin in the most recent year. Graduates of the counseling psychology program make about $50,801 in their early career. Concordia University Wisconsin graduates carry a median of $27,172 in student loans. Read more about the counseling psychology program at Concordia University Wisconsin

13

Mckendree University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best counseling psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Mckendree University awarded about 12 counseling psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counseling psychology degree from Mckendree University earn around $51,068 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete this degree. See the full counseling psychology program report for Mckendree University

14

Concordia University Chicago came in at #14 for counseling psychology this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. Concordia University Chicago awarded about 17 counseling psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counseling psychology program make about $51,374 in their early career. Concordia University Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. More information about a degree in counseling psychology from Concordia University Chicago

15

Adler School Of Professional Psychology earned the #15 position for counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Adler School Of Professional Psychology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Adler School Of Professional Psychology awarded about 181 counseling psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the counseling psychology program make about $64,667 in their early career. Read more about the counseling psychology program at Adler School Of Professional Psychology

16

National Louis University placed #16 among the best counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. About 113 counseling psychology degrees were awarded at National Louis University in the most recent year. Graduates of the counseling psychology program make about $57,591 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,242. Get the full counseling psychology details for National Louis University

17

The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago came in at #17 for counseling psychology this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 138 counseling psychology students who graduated with this degree at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago in the most recent data year. Counseling Psychology graduates of The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago earn a median of $64,850 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $40,645. Read more about the counseling psychology program at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Chicago

18

Roosevelt University came in at #18 for counseling psychology this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Roosevelt University awarded about 40 counseling psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counseling psychology degree from Roosevelt University earn around $59,141 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,879. More information about a degree in counseling psychology from Roosevelt University

19

Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #19 among the best counseling psychology schools. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 counseling psychology students who graduated with this degree at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent data year. Counseling Psychology graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $47,693 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,029 to complete this degree. Read more about the counseling psychology program at Franciscan University Of Steubenville

20
Valparaiso University crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University earned the #20 position for counseling psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Valparaiso University awarded about 19 counseling psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $47,384. Students borrow a median of $26,724 to complete this degree. Get the full counseling psychology details for Valparaiso University

21
Spring Arbor University crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best counseling psychology schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 55 counseling psychology students who graduated with this degree at Spring Arbor University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $47,874. Typical student debt for the program is $28,268. Get the full counseling psychology details for Spring Arbor University

22

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #22 position for counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 16 counseling psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $48,357 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. More information about a degree in counseling psychology from University Of Illinois At Springfield

23
Mount Mary College crest
Mount Mary College
Milwaukee, WI

Mount Mary College landed the #23 spot for counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit university. Mount Mary College graduates 43% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 counseling psychology students who graduated with this degree at Mount Mary College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counseling psychology degree from Mount Mary College earn around $47,456 in the first couple years of their career. Mount Mary College graduates carry a median of $26,372 in student loans. See the full counseling psychology program report for Mount Mary College

24
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best counseling psychology schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 39 counseling psychology degrees were awarded at Cornerstone University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $38,622. Typical student debt for the program is $29,243. Get the full counseling psychology details for Cornerstone University

25
Huntington University crest
Huntington University
Huntington, IN

Huntington University earned the #25 position for counseling psychology this year. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. Huntington University awarded about 17 counseling psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their counseling psychology degree from Huntington University earn around $42,992 in the first couple years of their career. Huntington University graduates carry a median of $28,332 in student loans. See the full counseling psychology program report for Huntington University

Rest of the Top 26 Counseling Psychology Schools

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

26

Narrow Counseling Psychology Schools by State

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View All Counseling Psychology Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 · 38 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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