Health professions ยท bachelor's degree
Mental health counseling major: colleges and pay
90 colleges in our data award bachelor's degrees in mental health counseling, 2,841 of them in 2023-24. Graduates of the typical program earned $41,574 a year after graduating and $51,379 four years after.
Colleges offering it90
Graduates in 2023-242,841
Typical median debt$24,991
Typical earnings 1 yr after$41,574
Typical earnings 4 yrs after$51,379
Earnings to debt1.7x
Official field name: Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions.
Colleges where mental health counseling graduates earn the most
Programs with at least 10 graduates in 2023-24, ranked by median earnings four years after graduation.
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA | 93 | $70,054 | $76,395 | $13,021 |
| James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA | 451 | $38,321 | $67,033 | $19,500 |
| Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX | 41 | $39,804 | $66,865 | $16,500 |
| Worcester State UniversityWorcester, MA | 46 | $42,384 | $63,505 | $20,500 |
| Western Connecticut State UniversityDanbury, CT | 33 | $42,085 | $63,218 | $27,000 |
| Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN | 36 | $59,286 | $60,780 | $22,609 |
| Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids, MI | 21 | $50,641 | $58,907 | $27,001 |
| Ohio University-Main CampusAthens, OH | 19 | $39,804 | $57,998 | $26,286 |
| Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH | 46 | $47,252 | $57,701 | $22,959 |
| Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN | 65 | $55,353 | $57,266 | $21,532 |
| University of KansasLawrence, KS | 21 | $42,217 | $57,252 | n/a |
| Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL | 33 | $46,403 | $55,586 | $25,000 |
| University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH | 16 | n/a | $52,735 | $27,170 |
| New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas, NM | 51 | $35,990 | $52,517 | $9,804 |
| University of ArizonaTucson, AZ | 121 | $41,640 | $52,243 | $20,500 |
| University of South DakotaVermillion, SD | 42 | $43,698 | $52,211 | $20,750 |
| William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ | 11 | $43,780 | $51,502 | $22,500 |
| Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix, AZ | 706 | $40,244 | $51,490 | $31,000 |
| Rhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI | 12 | $38,071 | $51,379 | n/a |
| Indiana State UniversityTerre Haute, IN | 14 | $42,929 | $51,288 | $25,000 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortales, NM | 55 | $42,697 | $50,598 | $18,240 |
| Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach, AL | 111 | $36,217 | $49,618 | $29,495 |
| University of Central ArkansasConway, AR | 55 | $34,087 | $49,129 | $20,375 |
| The University of Arizona Global CampusChandler, AZ | 93 | $43,711 | $48,922 | $29,500 |
| Alvernia UniversityReading, PA | 17 | $40,785 | $48,809 | $27,556 |
Largest mental health counseling programs
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix, AZ | 706 | $40,244 | $51,490 | $31,000 |
| James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA | 451 | $38,321 | $67,033 | $19,500 |
| Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA | 144 | $38,947 | $47,604 | $25,625 |
| University of ArizonaTucson, AZ | 121 | $41,640 | $52,243 | $20,500 |
| Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach, AL | 111 | $36,217 | $49,618 | $29,495 |
| University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA | 93 | $70,054 | $76,395 | $13,021 |
| The University of Arizona Global CampusChandler, AZ | 93 | $43,711 | $48,922 | $29,500 |
| Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN | 65 | $55,353 | $57,266 | $21,532 |
| University of Maine at AugustaAugusta, ME | 61 | $47,063 | $48,604 | $24,357 |
| University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY | 56 | $35,839 | $45,061 | $14,569 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortales, NM | 55 | $42,697 | $50,598 | $18,240 |
| University of Central ArkansasConway, AR | 55 | $34,087 | $49,129 | $20,375 |
| New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas, NM | 51 | $35,990 | $52,517 | $9,804 |
| Worcester State UniversityWorcester, MA | 46 | $42,384 | $63,505 | $20,500 |
| Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH | 46 | $47,252 | $57,701 | $22,959 |
Graduate degrees in mental health counseling
Master's: 391 programs, $50,799 first-year earnings; Doctoral: 30 programs, $70,650 first-year earnings; Professional doctorate: 8 programs. Compare graduate programs.
Every college with a mental health counseling major
| College | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA | 93 | $70,054 | $76,395 | $13,021 |
| James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA | 451 | $38,321 | $67,033 | $19,500 |
| Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX | 41 | $39,804 | $66,865 | $16,500 |
| Worcester State UniversityWorcester, MA | 46 | $42,384 | $63,505 | $20,500 |
| Western Connecticut State UniversityDanbury, CT | 33 | $42,085 | $63,218 | $27,000 |
| Metropolitan State UniversitySaint Paul, MN | 36 | $59,286 | $60,780 | $22,609 |
| Davenport UniversityGrand Rapids, MI | 21 | $50,641 | $58,907 | $27,001 |
| Ohio University-Main CampusAthens, OH | 19 | $39,804 | $57,998 | $26,286 |
| Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH | 46 | $47,252 | $57,701 | $22,959 |
| Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN | 65 | $55,353 | $57,266 | $21,532 |
| University of KansasLawrence, KS | 21 | $42,217 | $57,252 | n/a |
| Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL | 33 | $46,403 | $55,586 | $25,000 |
| Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA | 9 | $42,622 | $54,395 | $27,000 |
| University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH | 16 | n/a | $52,735 | $27,170 |
| New Mexico Highlands UniversityLas Vegas, NM | 51 | $35,990 | $52,517 | $9,804 |
| University of ArizonaTucson, AZ | 121 | $41,640 | $52,243 | $20,500 |
| University of South DakotaVermillion, SD | 42 | $43,698 | $52,211 | $20,750 |
| William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ | 11 | $43,780 | $51,502 | $22,500 |
| Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix, AZ | 706 | $40,244 | $51,490 | $31,000 |
| Rhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI | 12 | $38,071 | $51,379 | n/a |
| Indiana State UniversityTerre Haute, IN | 14 | $42,929 | $51,288 | $25,000 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusPortales, NM | 55 | $42,697 | $50,598 | $18,240 |
| University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorage, AK | 8 | n/a | $49,660 | n/a |
| Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach, AL | 111 | $36,217 | $49,618 | $29,495 |
| University of Central ArkansasConway, AR | 55 | $34,087 | $49,129 | $20,375 |
| The University of Arizona Global CampusChandler, AZ | 93 | $43,711 | $48,922 | $29,500 |
| Alvernia UniversityReading, PA | 17 | $40,785 | $48,809 | $27,556 |
| University of Maine at AugustaAugusta, ME | 61 | $47,063 | $48,604 | $24,357 |
| Washburn UniversityTopeka, KS | 19 | $41,508 | $48,327 | $24,991 |
| Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA | 144 | $38,947 | $47,604 | $25,625 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN | 1 | $40,910 | $45,729 | $30,616 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University-National & GlobalMarion, IN | 29 | $40,910 | $45,729 | $30,616 |
| University of the CumberlandsWilliamsburg, KY | 56 | $35,839 | $45,061 | $14,569 |
| Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia, PA | 9 | $34,313 | $42,837 | $27,000 |
| University of Maine at FarmingtonFarmington, ME | 0 | $44,132 | $42,513 | n/a |
| Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA | 11 | $30,611 | $42,065 | n/a |
| Ohio Christian UniversityCircleville, OH | 6 | n/a | $40,901 | n/a |
| Lackawanna CollegeScranton, PA | 25 | $34,615 | $40,697 | $37,382 |
| New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM | 18 | n/a | $39,293 | $15,003 |
| Seattle Central CollegeSeattle, WA | 22 | $45,816 | n/a | n/a |
| SUNY BrockportBrockport, NY | 7 | $41,115 | n/a | n/a |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX | 19 | $32,434 | n/a | $20,129 |
| Ana G. Mendez UniversityOrlando, FL | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bay Path UniversityLongmeadow, MA | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Beal UniversityBangor, ME | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN | 11 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bluefield State UniversityBluefield, WV | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Centralia CollegeCentralia, WA | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chicago State UniversityChicago, IL | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Crown CollegeSaint Bonifacius, MN | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Drury University-College of Continuing Professional StudiesSpringfield, MO | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Johnson UniversityKnoxville, TN | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Keene State CollegeKeene, NH | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Lasell UniversityNewton, MA | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Methodist UniversityFayetteville, NC | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Midwestern State UniversityWichita Falls, TX | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Minot State UniversityMinot, ND | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Morris CollegeSumter, SC | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Nelson UniversityWaxahachie, TX | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| New England CollegeHenniker, NH | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Northern Michigan UniversityMarquette, MI | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ottawa University-Kansas CityOverland Park, KS | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ottawa University-OnlineOverland Park, KS | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods CollegeSaint Mary of the Woods, IN | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Sinte Gleska UniversityMission, SD | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| South Florida Bible College and Theological SeminaryDeerfield Beach, FL | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Southern University at New OrleansNew Orleans, LA | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Springfield College-Regional Online and Continuing EducationSpringfield, MA | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Tennessee Wesleyan UniversityAthens, TN | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, TX | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Thomas CollegeWaterville, ME | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Tiffin UniversityTiffin, OH | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Union Commonwealth UniversityBarbourville, KY | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo CampusGurabo, PR | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Detroit MercyDetroit, MI | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of Holy CrossNew Orleans, LA | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of KentuckyLexington, KY | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of MaryBismarck, ND | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of North TexasDenton, TX | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC | 18 | n/a | n/a | $26,000 |
| University of St FrancisJoliet, IL | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| University of West FloridaPensacola, FL | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Western New Mexico UniversitySilver City, NM | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Wright State University-Main CampusDayton, OH | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Frequently asked questions
How much do mental health counseling majors make?
Graduates of the typical mental health counseling program earned a median of $41,574 one year after graduation and $51,379 four years after, in 2024 dollars.
Which college has the highest-paid mental health counseling graduates?
University of Pennsylvania, where graduates earned a median of $76,395 four years after graduation (programs with at least 10 graduates).
How many colleges offer a mental health counseling major?
90 colleges on the College Scorecard awarded bachelor's degrees in mental health counseling in 2022-23 or 2023-24.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.