College Student Counseling and Personnel Services: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
College Student Counseling and Personnel Services prepares professionals to support the academic, emotional, and career development of students within higher education and adult learning environments. This program emphasizes the strategic design and delivery of comprehensive student services that foster well-being, equity, and success across diverse educational settings.
- Applicable laws and policies: Explores legal and regulatory frameworks governing student rights, institutional compliance, and ethical standards in educational counseling and administration.
- Residential counseling and services: Focuses on supporting student life in campus housing environments, addressing personal, social, and behavioral needs within residential communities.
- Vocational counseling and placement services: Equips students with tools for career exploration, decision-making, and job readiness, including strategies for connecting learners with employment and internship opportunities.
- Remedial skills counseling: Addresses foundational academic challenges by developing targeted interventions in areas such as study skills, time management, and academic writing.
- Therapeutic counselor intervention: Applies evidence-based psychological techniques to support students experiencing emotional, mental health, or personal adjustment difficulties.
College Student Counseling and Personnel Services Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
College Student Counseling and Personnel Services Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with College Student Counseling and Personnel Services degrees, including Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors and Residential Advisors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 425,160 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors 21-1012 | $65,140 | $43,580 - $105,870 | 342,350 | $31.32 |
| Residential Advisors 39-9041 | $39,180 | $28,490 - $58,350 | 82,810 | $18.84 |
Salary Comparison
College Student Counseling and Personnel Services Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $41,930 in Oklahoma to $70,585 in California—a 68% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Washington, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 425,160 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for College Student Counseling and Personnel Services by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 65 institutions offering College Student Counseling and Personnel Services programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in College Student Counseling and Personnel Services is found at Seattle University (Seattle U) (56 graduates), Appalachian State University (App State) (50 graduates), University of North Carolina (UNCP), Pembroke (49 graduates), North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (47 graduates), and University of Southern California (USC) (43 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 952 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Master's
|
56 |
SAT: 1200-1430 ACT: 23-30 |
Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
50 |
SAT: 1120-1280 ACT: 21-27 |
Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| University of North Carolina (UNCP) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
49 |
SAT: 970-1200 ACT: 18-23 |
Pembroke, North Carolina | Public | uncp.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
47 |
SAT: 1300-1470 ACT: 28-32 |
Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
|
43 |
SAT: 1450-1550 ACT: 32-35 |
Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
40 |
SAT: 880-1100 ACT: 17-23 |
Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Master's
|
35 |
SAT: 1020-1190 ACT: 17-23 |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
33 |
SAT: 1170-1400 ACT: 27-33 |
Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Master's
|
32 |
SAT: 1150-1355 ACT: 22-27 |
Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Western Carolina University (WCU) |
Master's
|
30 |
SAT: 1080-1270 ACT: 19-25 |
Cullowhee, North Carolina | Public | wcu.edu |
| Angelo State University (ASU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
30 |
SAT: 910-1150 ACT: 18-24 |
San Angelo, Texas | Public | angelo.edu |
| California Lutheran University (CLU) |
Master's
|
29 |
SAT: 1150-1330 ACT: 24-31 |
Thousand Oaks, California | Private | callutheran.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
25 |
SAT: 1270-1480 ACT: 29-34 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Master's
|
24 |
SAT: 1320-1480 ACT: 29-33 |
Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
|
24 |
SAT: 1180-1360 ACT: 26-32 |
Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Master's
|
22 |
SAT: 1080-1260 ACT: 20-24 |
Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Indiana State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
21 | N/A | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
21 |
SAT: 1200-1370 ACT: 25-31 |
Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Master's
|
17 | N/A | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Master's
Doctorate (O)
|
17 |
SAT: 1020-1280 ACT: 19-26 |
Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (Ship) |
Master's
|
17 | ACT: 16-28 | Shippensburg, Pennsylvania | Public | ship.edu |
| Wayne State College (WSC) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
15 | N/A | Wayne, Nebraska | Public | wsc.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Master's
|
15 |
SAT: 1000-1210 ACT: 19-26 |
Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Miami University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
15 |
SAT: 1220-1390 ACT: 25-30 |
Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KU) |
Master's
|
15 | SAT: 1120-1310 | Kutztown, Pennsylvania | Public | kutztown.edu |
| University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Master's
|
14 |
SAT: 910-1170 ACT: 19-25 |
Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Master's
|
13 |
SAT: 840-1050 ACT: 16-21 |
Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 970-1190 ACT: 18-24 |
Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 980-1190 ACT: 18-26 |
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 970-1180 ACT: 20-27 |
Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Stephen F Austin State University (SFASU) |
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 970-1170 ACT: 18-24 |
Nacogdoches, Texas | Public | sfasu.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Master's
|
11 | N/A | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
10 |
SAT: 990-1210 ACT: 21-27 |
Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 |
SAT: 1070-1240 ACT: 21-26 |
Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Master's
|
8 |
SAT: 1310-1500 ACT: 28-33 |
New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Doctorate (R)
|
8 |
SAT: 915-1180 ACT: 18-24 |
Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| Southern Arkansas University (SAU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 |
SAT: 875-1105 ACT: 17-24 |
Magnolia, Arkansas | Public | saumag.edu |
| Western Illinois University (WIU) |
Master's
|
7 | N/A | Macomb, Illinois | Public | wiu.edu |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) |
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 866-1163 ACT: 18-24 |
Natchitoches, Louisiana | Public | nsula.edu |
| Eastern Michigan University (EMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 920-1170 ACT: 18-27 |
Ypsilanti, Michigan | Public | emich.edu |
| North Dakota State University (NDSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | ACT: 19-25 | Fargo, North Dakota | Public | ndsu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
7 |
SAT: 1270-1460 ACT: 28-32 |
Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Master's
|
5 | N/A | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| University of Redlands |
Master's
|
5 |
SAT: 1107-1350 ACT: 21-28 |
Redlands, California | Private | redlands.edu |
| Eastern Illinois University (EIU) |
Master's
|
5 | SAT: 880-1090 | Charleston, Illinois | Public | eiu.edu |
| Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) |
Master's
|
5 |
SAT: 1025-1260 ACT: 17-25 |
Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Public | stcloudstate.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Master's
|
5 | ACT: 18-24 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
4 | N/A | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Doctorate (R)
|
4 | SAT: 910-1210 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| Shepherd University |
Master's
|
4 |
SAT: 878-1140 ACT: 19-24 |
Shepherdstown, West Virginia | Public | shepherd.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 |
SAT: 1210-1440 ACT: 28-33 |
Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Springfield College |
Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1080-1330 ACT: 27-29 |
Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | springfield.edu |
| SUNY Brockport |
Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1100-1280 ACT: 23-26 |
Brockport, New York | Public | brockport.edu |
| Villanova University |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 |
SAT: 1395-1510 ACT: 32-34 |
Villanova, Pennsylvania | Private | villanova.edu |
| South Dakota State University (SDSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 |
SAT: 1060-1240 ACT: 19-25 |
Brookings, South Dakota | Public | sdstate.edu |
| University of West Florida (UWF) |
Master's
|
2 |
SAT: 1020-1230 ACT: 20-27 |
Pensacola, Florida | Public | uwf.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Master's
|
2 |
SAT: 895-1175 ACT: 18-26 |
Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| Seton Hall University (SHU) |
Master's
|
2 |
SAT: 1220-1390 ACT: 27-32 |
South Orange, New Jersey | Private | shu.edu |
| Carlow University |
Master's
|
2 | SAT: 960-1168 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | carlow.edu |
| Lakeland University |
Master's
|
2 | N/A | Plymouth, Wisconsin | Private | lakeland.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Master's
|
2 | N/A | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Harding University |
Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 1050-1290 ACT: 20-29 |
Searcy, Arkansas | Private | harding.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Post-Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 1070-1290 ACT: 22-29 |
Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Master's
|
1 | ACT: 21-25 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Master's
|
1 |
SAT: 1270-1440 ACT: 29-32 |
Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about College Student Counseling and Personnel Services programs
How much can I earn with a College Student Counseling and Personnel Services degree?
Salaries for College Student Counseling and Personnel Services graduates vary by role and location. Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earn a median of $65,140 annually, while Residential Advisors earn around $39,180. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $70,585 compared to $41,930 in Oklahoma. Approximately 425,160 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest College Student Counseling and Personnel Services programs?
Currently 65 accredited institutions offer College Student Counseling and Personnel Services degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Seattle University (Seattle U) (56 graduates), Appalachian State University (App State) (50 graduates), and University of North Carolina (UNCP), Pembroke (49 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in College Student Counseling and Personnel Services growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 918 in 2010 to a peak of 1,195 in 2020, before declining slightly to 952 in 2023-24. This represents a 4% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a College Student Counseling and Personnel Services degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors, Residential Advisors, . Related occupations employ approximately 425,160 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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