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

56 Colleges in the United States
4,849 Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Degrees Awarded
$54,095 Avg Early-Career Salary

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 112 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology in the Great Lakes Region

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

Top Schools in Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology

1

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $39,808 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for University Of Chicago

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 128 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $55,617 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

3
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Depaul University awarded about 53 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Depaul University

4

Northwestern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 373 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $43,591 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Northwestern University

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, ranking #5. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 155 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Students borrow a median of $20,115 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University Of Illinois At Chicago

6
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University came in at #6 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Xavier University awarded about 27 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Typical student debt for the program is $26,614. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for Xavier University

7

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #7 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 25 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $49,911 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete this degree. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

8

Miami University Oxford ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $59,464. Students borrow a median of $24,177 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Miami University Oxford

9

Grand Valley State University placed #9 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $54,320 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,378. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Grand Valley State University

10
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College earned the #10 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Elmhurst College awarded about 25 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $72,270 in their early career. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Elmhurst College

11

Loyola University Chicago ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 104 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $67,469 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Loyola University Chicago

12

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 66 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $69,444. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for Indiana University Bloomington

13

University Of Dayton came in at #13 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. University Of Dayton awarded about 56 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $50,838. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University Of Dayton

14

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $61,488 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

15

Midwestern University Downers Grove placed #15 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Midwestern University Downers Grove is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Downers Grove. About 14 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Midwestern University Downers Grove in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $77,332 in their early career. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Midwestern University Downers Grove

16

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 10 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

17
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #17 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 34 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from Michigan State University earn around $71,750 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,213. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Michigan State University

18

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #18 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete this degree. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

19

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #19 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 246 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,516 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

20

University Of Toledo earned the #20 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Toledo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $52,675 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete this degree. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at University Of Toledo

21

University Of Detroit Mercy placed #21 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates 67% of students within six years. About 69 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $54,597 early in their careers. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University Of Detroit Mercy

22

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #22 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 94 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $56,094 early in their careers. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,292 in student loans. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Wheaton College Illinois

23

Cleveland State University earned the #23 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Cleveland State University graduates 51% of students within six years. About 12 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Cleveland State University in the most recent year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $54,181 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Cleveland State University

24

Illinois State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 21 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Typical student debt for the program is $21,896. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Illinois State University

25

University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #25 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 27 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from University Of Wisconsin Stout earn around $62,190 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete this degree. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for University Of Wisconsin Stout

Rest of the Top 50 Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools

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

26
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
27
28
29
30
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
31
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Tiffin University crest
Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH
41
42
43
44
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 112 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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