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2026 Best Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Southeast Region

77 Colleges in the United States
7,278 Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Degrees Awarded
$50,102 Avg Early-Career Salary

Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 147 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools.

What’s on this page:

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

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 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology

1

No school ranked higher than George Mason University this year for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 195 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $60,240 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at George Mason University

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #2 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 16 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $77,997 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Vanderbilt University

3

Students looking for a strong clinical, counseling & applied psychology program will find one at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #3. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,935. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at College Of William And Mary

4
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Students looking for a strong clinical, counseling & applied psychology program will find one at Auburn University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Auburn University awarded about 61 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $55,422 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Auburn University

5

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 80 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $65,597 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University Of South Florida Main Campus

6

The University Of Alabama came in at #6 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for The University Of Alabama

7

Appalachian State University earned the #7 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $69,441 in their early career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Appalachian State University

8
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #8 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 47 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $51,884 in their early career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for Florida State University

9

University Of Georgia ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 108 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from University Of Georgia earn around $67,580 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for University Of Georgia

10

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #10 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 24 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $54,087 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete this degree. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

11

Citadel Military College Of South Carolina landed the #11 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Charleston. About 75% of students finish within six years. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina awarded about 14 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $52,909. Typical student debt for the program is $24,305. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina

12

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #12 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 56 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $54,093 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from University Of Virginia Main Campus

13

University Of Central Florida ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 44 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $55,976. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete this degree. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for University Of Central Florida

14

Mercer University came in at #14 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Mercer University awarded about 13 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from Mercer University earn around $50,369 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,463 to complete this degree. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for Mercer University

15

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked #15 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 Daytona Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 23%. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide awarded about 88 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide earn around $79,874 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,787. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

16
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Marymount University earned the #16 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 96 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Marymount University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $50,490 in their early career. Marymount University graduates carry a median of $26,880 in student loans. Get the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology details for Marymount University

17

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #17 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 30 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $35,159 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Middle Tennessee State University

18

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #18 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. This large public university is located in the city of Chattanooga. About 50% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga awarded about 18 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $50,000 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga

19

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earned the #19 position for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Daytona Beach. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach in the most recent data year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach earn a median of $60,665 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,620. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

20
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida placed #20 among the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at University Of Florida

21

University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #21 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Huntsville. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 clinical, counseling & applied psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Huntsville in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn around $62,903 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates carry a median of $24,797 in student loans. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for University Of Alabama At Huntsville

22

The University Of Tennessee landed the #22 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 51 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $47,265 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for The University Of Tennessee

23
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Shenandoah University awarded about 10 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program make about $62,948 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,005. Read more about the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program at Shenandoah University

24

University Of Kentucky landed the #24 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. About 63 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $72,289. University Of Kentucky graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. See the full clinical, counseling & applied psychology program report for University Of Kentucky

25

Georgia Southern University came in at #25 for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Georgia Southern University graduates 55% of students within six years. Georgia Southern University awarded about 36 clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree from Georgia Southern University earn around $45,531 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology from Georgia Southern University

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

These schools also placed among the best for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year:

26
27
28
29
30
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
31
32
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
33
34
35
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
36
37
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
38
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
39
40
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
41
42
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
43
44
Mary Baldwin College crest
Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA
45
46
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
47
48
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
49
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC
50
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for clinical, counseling & applied psychology:

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View All Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Rankings >

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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 · 147 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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