Public vs. Private School Counseling Programs: How They Compare
When you compare public vs. private school counseling programs, neither type is better by default. Public programs cost the least if you pay in-state tuition, while private nonprofit programs often cost less than a public university charges out-of-state students. Every program listed here is CACREP-accredited, so your state, budget, and preferred format should decide.
Priya has two acceptance letters. One is from a state university near her apartment. The other is from a private university with a smaller cohort and a higher sticker price. Her first instinct is to take the cheaper one. But “cheaper” depends on where she lives, how she attends, and which number she’s looking at. Here’s how the two types of program compare, followed by a directory of every program in our database.
Public vs. Private School Counseling Programs at a Glance
We compared 266 CACREP-accredited school counseling programs: 187 at public universities, 75 at private nonprofit universities, and 4 at private for-profit universities. The for-profit group is too small for medians, so the table shows its programs as ranges.
| Measure | Public | Private nonprofit | Private for-profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programs | 187 | 75 | 4 |
| States with a program | 47 | 27 | 3 |
| Median total tuition, in-state | $29,100 (174 programs) | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Median total tuition, out-of-state (public) or standard rate (private) | $53,655 (168 programs) | $49,785 (62 programs) | $45,600 to $49,500 (3 programs) |
| Lowest and highest total tuition, fees excluded | $15,714 to $173,640 | $26,700 to $149,520 | See row above |
| Median earnings one year after completion | $48,093 (144 programs) | $52,203 (41 programs) | Too few to compare |
| Median earnings four years after completion | $56,880 (146 programs) | $59,556 (36 programs) | Too few to compare |
Read the program counts before the medians. Not every program publishes a rate we can tie to its school counseling degree, and the federal earnings data doesn’t cover every program. A median built on 41 programs tells you less than one built on 168.
Cost: Where the Real Difference Is
Public universities charge residents far less. Among the 174 public programs with a published in-state figure, the median total program tuition is $29,100. For out-of-state students, the median across 168 public programs is $53,655. Private nonprofit universities land at $49,785 across 62 programs. (The two public figures cover slightly different sets of programs, so treat them as a rough before-and-after, not an exact one.)
So “which costs less?” has a two-part answer. If you live in a state with an accredited public program, that program is typically your least expensive option. If you don’t, a private nonprofit program is often priced below what a public university would charge you.
The ranges overlap heavily, though. Out-of-state public totals run from $15,714 to $173,640. Private nonprofit totals run from $26,700 to $149,520. A high-priced public program and an inexpensive private one both exist, so compare programs, not categories.
Our totals count tuition only, and mandatory fees are excluded so programs compare on the same basis. Fees can be large. The lowest public total in the table, Wayne State College, lists $261.90 per credit in tuition and $165.55 per credit in fees, so $15,714 understates what a student pays.
We don’t apply scholarships or discounts either. Our guide to school counseling scholarships covers the funding side.
How we calculated tuition. Figures come from each university’s own website, never from third-party sites, and each was recorded with the page it came from, a quote containing the rate, and the date we checked. Program tuition is the published per-credit rate multiplied by the credits required. For public universities, the in-state figure is the resident rate and the out-of-state figure is what a nonresident pays. Where a university’s published rate has no academic year, is set for a future year, is bundled with fees that can’t be separated, or covers a flat full-time charge rather than a per-credit rate, we still use it, so some totals are estimates. Programs whose rate we couldn’t tie to the school counseling degree are left out of the medians. Tuition changes, so confirm the current rate with the university before you enroll.
Earnings by Program Type
The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard reports earnings for counseling master’s graduates, by institution (CIP code 13.11, Student Counseling and Personnel Services). One year after completing, the median is $48,093 for public programs (144 reporting) and $52,203 for private nonprofit programs (41 reporting). At four years, it’s $56,880 (146 reporting) and $59,556 (36 reporting).
The one-year figures cover 2018-19 and 2019-20 completers, with earnings measured in 2020-21. The four-year figures cover 2017-18 and 2018-19 completers, with earnings measured in 2022-23. Scorecard earnings include federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled during the measurement year.
That’s a gap of about $4,100 at one year and $2,700 at four. We can’t separate the school’s effect from where its graduates live and work, so we wouldn’t read it as proof that one type pays off better.
Pay by Setting: K-12 and College
Public versus private also shows up at work, and a graduate of a private university can work in a public school district. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports wages by employer type for school and career counselors and advisors. That group also includes career counselors and academic advisors.
The national median wage for the group was $64,330 in May 2025, the point where half of workers earned more and half earned less. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $45,020, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $104,770.
Median annual wages in May 2025, by employer type, for school and career counselors and advisors:
| Employer type | Median annual wage (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Elementary and secondary schools, local government | $77,800 |
| Elementary and secondary schools, private | $62,190 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools, state and local | $58,870 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools, private | $58,720 |
| Other educational services, private | $57,480 |
The split is in K-12. Counselors in local-government elementary and secondary schools had a median of $77,800 in May 2025, which is $15,610 more than the $62,190 median in private elementary and secondary schools. At colleges and universities, the gap nearly disappears: $58,870 for state and local institutions and $58,720 for private ones. These are national figures by employer, not by where someone earned the degree. For a fuller picture of pay, see how much school counselors make.
Accreditation and How to Choose
Every program here is accredited by CACREP, and the standard is the same for public and private. Two public programs, Pennsylvania Western University and Sam Houston State University, carry the label “Accredited (Progress Report Required with a Notice of Concern),” and we list them with the label exactly as CACREP writes it.
Forty-two programs have accreditation cycles ending within the next 13 months: 28 public and 14 private nonprofit. Every program’s cycle end date is in the directories below, and you can confirm any program’s status in CACREP’s program directory.
Skip the public-versus-private label and start with your home state. If an accredited public program exists there, price it first at the resident rate, counting fees and aid, not tuition alone.
Credentialing requirements are determined at the state level, and our guide to school counselor credentialing requirements by state is a good place to start. School counselor credentialing requirements vary by state and may include specified coursework, supervised field experience, examinations, prior experience, and other conditions. Check the state agency responsible for educator or school-counselor credentialing where you plan to work before you apply, especially for an out-of-state program.
Public School Counseling Programs
The table below lists all 187 public university programs in our database, alphabetically by state and then by university. It’s a directory, not a ranking.
How this directory was built. Every program here is accredited by CACREP as a School Counseling program, verified against the CACREP register on September 30, 2026. Any program whose CACREP status shows a teach-out, closure, show-cause or withdrawal is excluded, because a reader cannot reliably enroll in it. Programs are listed alphabetically by state and then by university, not ranked. Master’s graduates are the number each university reported to the federal IPEDS survey for 2023 under CIP code 13.1101. That count covers the whole university, so a school running more than one school counseling master’s reports them together, and where a university reports no graduates under that code the table says “Not reported.” “Accredited through” is the end of the program’s current CACREP cycle. CACREP accreditation is not the same as state approval: check your state’s requirements for school counselor certification before you enroll.
| Institution | City | State | Degree | CACREP Status | Accredited Through | Master’s Graduates (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University, College of Education | Montgomery | Alabama | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | Not reported |
| Auburn University | Auburn | Alabama | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 27 |
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery | Alabama | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 6 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | Alabama | M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 21 |
| Troy University | Troy | Alabama | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 7 |
| University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa | Alabama | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2028 | 4 |
| University of Montevallo | Montevallo | Alabama | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | 38 |
| University of North Alabama | Florence | Alabama | M.Ed. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Apr 30, 2034 | 4 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile | Alabama | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 23 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston | Alabama | M.Ed./M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2032 | 77 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fairbanks | Alaska | M.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2034 | 12 |
| Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff | Arizona | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 59 |
| Henderson State University | Arkadelphia | Arkansas | M.S.E. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 2 |
| University of Arkansas Fayetteville | Fayetteville | Arkansas | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2029 | 39 |
| California State University Sacramento | Sacramento | California | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2029 | 85 |
| San Francisco State University | San Francisco | California | M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 36 |
| Adams State University | Alamosa | Colorado | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2028 | Not reported |
| Colorado State University | Fort Collins | Colorado | M.A. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | Not reported |
| University of Colorado at Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Colorado | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2033 | 70 |
| University of Colorado at Denver | Denver | Colorado | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | Not reported |
| University of Northern Colorado, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences | Greeley | Colorado | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2029 | 12 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain | Connecticut | M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | 48 |
| Southern Connecticut State University (Counselor Education) | New Haven | Connecticut | M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 9 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs | Connecticut | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2033 | 11 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury | Connecticut | M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 36 |
| University of the District of Columbia | Washington | District of Columbia | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2028 | 1 |
| Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton | Florida | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 50 |
| Florida International University | Miami | Florida | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | 41 |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee | Florida | M.S./Ed.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2028 | 54 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando | Florida | M.A./M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 69 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville | Florida | M.S./Ed.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2029 | 12 |
| University of North Florida, College of Education and Human Services | Jacksonville | Florida | M.Ed. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2033 | 14 |
| University of South Florida, College of Education | Tampa | Florida | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 16 |
| Albany State University | Albany | Georgia | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 27 |
| Augusta University | Augusta | Georgia | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 29 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus | Georgia | M.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2034 | 18 |
| Fort Valley State University | Fort Valley | Georgia | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | 17 |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro | Georgia | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 18 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta | Georgia | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 39 |
| University of Georgia | Athens | Georgia | M.Ed./Ed.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 23 |
| University of West Georgia | Carrollton | Georgia | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 39 |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta | Georgia | M.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2033 | 16 |
| Boise State University | Boise | Idaho | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | 23 |
| Idaho State University | Pocatello | Idaho | M. Coun. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 4 |
| Chicago State University | Chicago | Illinois | M.A. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 3 |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Illinois | M.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 17 |
| Governors State University | University Park | Illinois | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2031 | Not reported |
| Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | Illinois | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2033 | 27 |
| Northern Illinois University, College of Education | De Kalb | Illinois | M.S.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 23 |
| University of Illinois Springfield | Springfield | Illinois | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Apr 30, 2034 | Not reported |
| Western Illinois University – Quad Cities | Moline | Illinois | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2033 | 28 |
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute | Indiana | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | 8 |
| Indiana University South Bend | South Bend, | Indiana | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 17 |
| Indiana University, Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Indiana | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | 25 |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne | Indiana | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2028 | 30 |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond | Indiana | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2029 | Not reported |
| University of Iowa, The | Iowa City | Iowa | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2028 | 9 |
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls | Iowa | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 9 |
| Emporia State University | Emporia | Kansas | M.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 26 |
| Fort Hays State University | Hays | Kansas | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2029 | 64 |
| Kansas State University | Manhattan | Kansas | Ed.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 25 |
| Wichita State University | Wichita | Kansas | M.Ed. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2029 | 58 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond | Kentucky | M.A.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 25 |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights | Kentucky | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 2 |
| Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge | Louisiana | M.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2034 | 16 |
| Louisiana State University – New Orleans (formerly University of New Orleans) | New Orleans | Louisiana | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 22 |
| Nicholls State University | Thibodaux | Louisiana | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 13 |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | Natchitoches | Louisiana | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 15 |
| Southeastern Louisiana University | Hammond | Louisiana | M.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 30 |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette | Louisiana | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 3 |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe | Louisiana | M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | 20 |
| University of Southern Maine | Gorham | Maine | M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 39 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie | Maryland | M.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2034 | 15 |
| Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater | Massachusetts | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 23 |
| Central Michigan University | Mt. Pleasant | Michigan | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2029 | 9 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti | Michigan | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 23 |
| Oakland University | Rochester | Michigan | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2027 | 19 |
| Wayne State University | Detroit | Michigan | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 61 |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo | Michigan | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2031 | 10 |
| Minnesota State University Mankato, Counseling and Student Personnel | Mankato | Minnesota | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2033 | Not reported |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead | Minnesota | M.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 24 |
| St. Cloud State University | St. Cloud | Minnesota | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2032 | 7 |
| University of Minnesota | Minneapolis | Minnesota | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | Not reported |
| Winona State University | Winona | Minnesota | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Apr 30, 2034 | 7 |
| Delta State University | Cleveland | Mississippi | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2028 | 15 |
| Jackson State University | Jackson | Mississippi | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 26 |
| Mississippi State University | Mississippi State | Mississippi | M.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 42 |
| University of Mississippi | University | Mississippi | M.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2033 | 33 |
| Missouri State University | Springfield | Missouri | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 56 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau | Missouri | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 15 |
| Truman State University | Kirksville | Missouri | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2033 | Not reported |
| University of Central Missouri | Warrensburg | Missouri | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2034 | Not reported |
| University of Missouri – St. Louis | St. Louis | Missouri | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | 52 |
| Montana State University | Bozeman | Montana | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 8 |
| University of Montana | Missoula | Montana | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2031 | 26 |
| Wayne State College | Wayne | Nebraska | M.S.E. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2033 | 17 |
| University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Las Vegas | Nevada | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 28 |
| University of Nevada, Reno | Reno | Nevada | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | 23 |
| Plymouth State University | Plymouth | New Hampshire | M.S.C. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 16 |
| Kean University | Union | New Jersey | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | 67 |
| Montclair State University | Montclair | New Jersey | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2033 | 104 |
| Rowan University | Glassboro | New Jersey | M.A. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 25 |
| Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Graduate School of Education | New Brunswick | New Jersey | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2034 | 6 |
| The College of New Jersey | Ewing | New Jersey | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 71 |
| William Paterson University | Wayne | New Jersey | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 21 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | Rio Rancho | New Mexico | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2029 | 45 |
| University of New Mexico | Albuquerque | New Mexico | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2029 | 22 |
| Western New Mexico University | Silver City | New Mexico | M.A. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2033 | 11 |
| Brooklyn College, City University of New York | Brooklyn | New York | M.S.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 17 |
| Hunter College | New York | New York | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2028 | 48 |
| Lehman College, City University of New York | Bronx | New York | M.S.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 25 |
| SUNY Brockport | Brockport | New York | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2033 | 17 |
| State University of New York at New Paltz | New Paltz | New York | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2029 | 14 |
| Appalachian State University | Boone | North Carolina | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | 10 |
| East Carolina University, College of Education | Greenville | North Carolina | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | Not reported |
| North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro | North Carolina | M.S. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2033 | 10 |
| North Carolina Central University | Durham | North Carolina | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 13 |
| North Carolina State University | Raleigh | North Carolina | M.Ed./M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | 22 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Education | Chapel Hill | North Carolina | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 28 |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | North Carolina | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2034 | 69 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro | North Carolina | M.S. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2034 | Not reported |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke | North Carolina | M.A.Ed. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2029 | 25 |
| Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | North Carolina | M.A.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 11 |
| North Dakota State University | Fargo | North Dakota | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2029 | 15 |
| Bowling Green State University | Bowling Green | Ohio | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 16 |
| Cleveland State University | Cleveland | Ohio | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | 48 |
| Kent State University | Kent | Ohio | M.Ed./M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | 17 |
| Ohio State University | Columbus | Ohio | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2033 | Not reported |
| Ohio University | Athens | Ohio | M.Ed. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2032 | 3 |
| University of Akron | Akron | Ohio | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2033 | 11 |
| University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati | Ohio | M.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2034 | 13 |
| University of Toledo | Toledo | Ohio | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2029 | Not reported |
| Wright State University | Dayton | Ohio | M.A./M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2027 | 16 |
| Youngstown State University | Youngstown | Ohio | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 54 |
| Northeastern State University | Tahlequah | Oklahoma | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | Not reported |
| Oklahoma State University | Stillwater | Oklahoma | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2030 | 31 |
| Oregon State University – Corvallis | Corvallis | Oregon | M. Coun. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 57 |
| Oregon State University-Cascades | Bend | Oregon | M. Coun. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | Not reported |
| Portland State University | Portland | Oregon | M.A./M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2033 | 42 |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana | Pennsylvania | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 5 |
| Kutztown University | Kutztown | Pennsylvania | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2033 | 24 |
| Pennsylvania State University | University Park | Pennsylvania | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 27 |
| Pennsylvania Western University | Edinboro | Pennsylvania | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required with a Notice of Concern) | Mar 31, 2033 | 72 |
| Shippensburg University | Shippensburg | Pennsylvania | M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 3 |
| West Chester University | West Chester | Pennsylvania | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2034 | 33 |
| Clemson University | Greenville | South Carolina | M.Ed./Ed.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 100 |
| South Carolina State University, Counselor Education | Orangeburg | South Carolina | M.Ed. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2029 | 12 |
| The Citadel | Charleston | South Carolina | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 22 |
| University of South Carolina, College of Education | Columbia | South Carolina | Ed.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | Not reported |
| Winthrop University | Rock Hill | South Carolina | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | 22 |
| Northern State University | Aberdeen | South Dakota | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2034 | 2 |
| South Dakota State University | Brookings | South Dakota | M.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | 6 |
| Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | Tennessee | M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | Not reported |
| East Tennessee State University | Johnson City | Tennessee | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 28 |
| Middle Tennessee State University | Murfreesboro | Tennessee | Ed.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | Not reported |
| Tennessee Tech University | Cookeville | Tennessee | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 35 |
| University of Memphis | Memphis | Tennessee | M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 56 |
| University of Tennessee at Chattanooga | Chattanooga | Tennessee | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2029 | 13 |
| University of Tennessee at Knoxville | Knoxville | Tennessee | M.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2028 | Not reported |
| University of Tennessee at Martin | Martin | Tennessee | M.S.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 28 |
| Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Texas | M.Ed. | Accredited (Progress Report Required with a Notice of Concern) | Oct 31, 2031 | 17 |
| Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi | Texas | M.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2028 | 4 |
| Texas A&M University – San Antonio | San Antonio | Texas | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 4 |
| Texas A&M University – Victoria | Victoria | Texas | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2034 | 3 |
| Texas State University | San Marcos | Texas | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | Not reported |
| Texas Woman’s University | Denton | Texas | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2033 | Not reported |
| University of North Texas at Dallas | Dallas | Texas | M.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2034 | 2 |
| University of North Texas, College of Education | Denton | Texas | M.Ed./M.S. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | 68 |
| University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, College of Education | Edinburg | Texas | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 46 |
| University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio | Texas | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | 14 |
| University of Vermont | Burlington | Vermont | M.S. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2029 | 29 |
| College of William and Mary | Williamsburg | Virginia | M.Ed. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2032 | 96 |
| George Mason University | Fairfax | Virginia | M.Ed. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 55 |
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg | Virginia | M.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | 35 |
| Longwood University | Farmville | Virginia | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2028 | 19 |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk | Virginia | M.A. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | Not reported |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk | Virginia | M.S.Ed. | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | 49 |
| Radford University | Radford | Virginia | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2028 | 33 |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville | Virginia | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2028 | 26 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Education | Richmond | Virginia | M.Ed. | Accredited | Apr 30, 2034 | 36 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg | Virginia | M.A. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 15 |
| Western Washington University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences | Bellingham | Washington | M.Ed. | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 6 |
| Marshall University | South Charleston | West Virginia | M.A. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Apr 30, 2034 | 95 |
| University of Wisconsin – River Falls | River Falls | Wisconsin | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2032 | 24 |
| University of Wisconsin – Whitewater | Whitewater | Wisconsin | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 46 |
| University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Oshkosh | Wisconsin | M.S. | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2031 | 35 |
| University of Wyoming | Laramie | Wyoming | M.S. | Accredited | Mar 31, 2028 | 26 |
Private School Counseling Programs
The table below lists 79 private university programs: 75 nonprofit and 4 for-profit. The Type column marks each one. The method is the same as for the public directory above, including the September 30, 2026 CACREP verification date.
| Institution | City | State | Degree | Type | CACREP Status | Accredited Through | Master’s Graduates (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix | Arizona | M.Ed. | For-profit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | 143 |
| University of San Diego | San Diego | California | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Apr 30, 2034 | Not reported |
| Colorado Christian University | Lakewood | Colorado | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | Not reported |
| Denver Seminary | Littleton | Colorado | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2029 | Not reported |
| University of Denver | Denver | Colorado | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 54 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield | Connecticut | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2033 | 3 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford | Connecticut | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 9 |
| George Washington University | Washington | District of Columbia | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 21 |
| Trinity Washington University | Washington | District of Columbia | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 22 |
| Barry University | Miami Shores | Florida | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | Not reported |
| Clark Atlanta University | Atlanta | Georgia | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 3 |
| Mercer University | Atlanta | Georgia | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2033 | 15 |
| Thomas University | Thomasville | Georgia | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | Not reported |
| Northwest Nazarene University | Nampa | Idaho | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2033 | 6 |
| DePaul University | Chicago | Illinois | M.A./M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | Not reported |
| National Louis University | Chicago | Illinois | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | Not reported |
| Quincy University | Quincy | Illinois | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | Not reported |
| Roosevelt University | Chicago | Illinois | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 9 |
| Butler University | Indianapolis | Indiana | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 24 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University | Indianapolis | Indiana | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 33 |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University | Olathe | Kansas | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | Not reported |
| University of Holy Cross | New Orleans | Louisiana | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 7 |
| Xavier University of Louisiana | New Orleans | Louisiana | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2033 | 1 |
| Husson University | Bangor | Maine | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | Not reported |
| Hood College | Frederick | Maryland | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | Not reported |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore | Maryland | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2029 | 13 |
| Loyola University Maryland | Baltimore | Maryland | M.A./M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Mar 31, 2029 | 46 |
| Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor | Michigan | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | Not reported |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit | Michigan | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | Not reported |
| Capella University | Minneapolis | Minnesota | M.S. | For-profit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | 178 |
| Walden University | Minneapolis | Minnesota | M.S. | For-profit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2033 | 178 |
| Mississippi Christian University | Clinton | Mississippi | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Apr 30, 2033 | 13 |
| Evangel University | Springfield | Missouri | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 9 |
| Missouri Baptist University | St. Louis | Missouri | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Aug 31, 2027 | 24 |
| Caldwell University | Caldwell | New Jersey | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2029 | Not reported |
| Monmouth University, Ed Counseling & Leadership | West Long Branch | New Jersey | M.S.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | 21 |
| Rider University | Lawrenceville | New Jersey | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 12 |
| Alfred University | Alfred | New York | M.S.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2032 | 100 |
| Canisius University | Buffalo | New York | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | 6 |
| Long Island University Post and Brentwood | Brookville | New York | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2029 | 19 |
| New York Institute of Technology | Old Westbury | New York | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 30 |
| St. Bonaventure University | St. Bonaventure | New York | M.S.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 118 |
| St. John’s University | Queens | New York | M.S.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 11 |
| Syracuse University | Syracuse | New York | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | Not reported |
| University of Rochester | Rochester | New York | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2028 | 11 |
| Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs | North Carolina | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Apr 30, 2033 | 5 |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory | North Carolina | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 6 |
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem | North Carolina | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2034 | 110 |
| University of Mary | Bismarck | North Dakota | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | Not reported |
| Capital University | Columbus | Ohio | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 7 |
| John Carroll University | University Heights | Ohio | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Oct 31, 2029 | 22 |
| Malone University | Canton | Ohio | M.A.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2028 | 9 |
| University of Dayton | Dayton | Ohio | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Mar 31, 2027 | 20 |
| Walsh University | North Canton | Ohio | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | Not reported |
| Xavier University | Cincinnati | Ohio | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 7 |
| George Fox University | Portland | Oregon | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2029 | 11 |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | M.S.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Apr 30, 2034 | 16 |
| Geneva College | Beaver Falls | Pennsylvania | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Progress Report Required) | Apr 30, 2033 | Not reported |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | Gwynedd Valley | Pennsylvania | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 10 |
| Marywood University | Scranton | Pennsylvania | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Apr 30, 2034 | 6 |
| Messiah University | Mechanicsburg | Pennsylvania | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2028 | Not reported |
| University of Scranton | Scranton | Pennsylvania | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 7 |
| Villanova University | Villanova | Pennsylvania | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 32 |
| Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City | Tennessee | M.S.C. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 7 |
| Johnson University | Knoxville | Tennessee | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2033 | Not reported |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate | Tennessee | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2030 | 4 |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale | Tennessee | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2033 | Not reported |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Tennessee | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | 1 |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | San Antonio | Texas | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2034 | 3 |
| Southern Methodist University | Dallas | Texas | M.S. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | Not reported |
| Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions | Provo | Utah | M.S. | For-profit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 22 |
| Bluefield University | Bluefield | Virginia | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 3 |
| Liberty University, Counselor Education & Family Studies | Lynchburg | Virginia | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 426 |
| Regent University | Virginia Beach | Virginia | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2032 | 69 |
| University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg | Virginia | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Oct 31, 2031 | 5 |
| City University of Seattle | Seattle | Washington | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2032 | 12 |
| Gonzaga University | Spokane | Washington | M.A. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2030 | 28 |
| Seattle University | Seattle | Washington | M.A.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited (Reaffirmation in Process) | Oct 31, 2027 | 36 |
| University of Puget Sound | Tacoma | Washington | M.Ed. | Nonprofit | Accredited | Mar 31, 2031 | 8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, a public or private school counseling program?
Neither wins on its own. Public programs usually cost the least for residents, and private nonprofit programs often cost less than public programs charge out-of-state students. Earnings differences in the federal data are small, and every program here meets the same CACREP standard. Your home state and your budget should decide it.
Are private school counseling programs more expensive?
It depends on your residency. The median total tuition is $29,100 for public programs at the in-state rate, $49,785 for private nonprofit programs, and $53,655 for public programs at the out-of-state rate. Individual programs vary widely in every group, so compare specific programs.
Do public and private programs meet the same accreditation standard?
Yes. CACREP applies the same standards to both, and every program in our directories is accredited. Status labels differ, and each program has its own cycle end date, which the directories show. CACREP accreditation isn’t the same as state approval.
Does it matter for state credentialing whether my program is public or private?
Credentialing requirements are determined at the state level, not by the program and not by whether the university is public or private. School counselor credentialing requirements vary by state and may include specified coursework, supervised field experience, examinations, prior experience, and other conditions. Check the state agency responsible for educator or school-counselor credentialing where you plan to work before you enroll, especially if you’re considering a program in another state. Our guide to school counselor credentialing requirements by state is a good place to start.
Do counselors in public schools earn more than counselors in private schools?
In K-12, yes. The national median in May 2025 was $77,800 for local-government elementary and secondary schools and $62,190 for private elementary and secondary schools. At colleges and universities, the medians were $58,870 for state and local institutions and $58,720 for private ones. These figures cover school and career counselors and advisors as a group. For more on pay, see our guide to how much school counselors make.
- Residency drives cost. The median public program costs $29,100 in-state and $53,655 out-of-state, while private nonprofit programs sit at $49,785.
- Ranges overlap. A high-priced public program and an inexpensive private one both exist, so compare programs, not categories.
- Program-level earnings are close. Median earnings differ by about $4,100 one year after completion, and we can’t tie the gap to the school type.
- The pay gap is in K-12. For school and career counselors and advisors, the May 2025 median was $77,800 in local-government schools and $62,190 in private schools.
- Your state decides credentialing. Every listed program is CACREP-accredited, but credentialing requirements are determined at the state level, so check them before you enroll.
If you’re comparing master’s programs, start with the state where you plan to practice. Credentialing requirements vary by state, and your program should line up with your state’s credentialing process before you enroll.
