Student Counseling and Personnel Services: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for professionals committed to supporting student well-being and academic success, this program equips learners with advanced knowledge and practical skills in counseling, student development, and institutional support systems. It prepares individuals to address the diverse needs of learners within educational environments through evidence-based practices and ethical leadership.
- Student Development Theory: Explores the psychological, social, and cognitive growth patterns of learners across different age groups and educational contexts.
- Counseling Techniques and Interventions: Focuses on individual and group counseling strategies tailored to academic, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
- Academic Advising and Career Planning: Develops competencies in guiding students through course selection, degree planning, and post-graduation career pathways.
- Student Affairs Administration: Covers organizational structures, policies, and leadership roles within student services departments.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education: Examines systemic barriers and best practices for fostering equitable access and support for all student populations.
- Ethical and Legal Standards in Counseling: Addresses professional codes of conduct, confidentiality, mandated reporting, and compliance with educational regulations.
- Program Evaluation and Assessment: Teaches methods for measuring the effectiveness of student support services and improving institutional outcomes.
Student Counseling and Personnel Services Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with 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 |
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 Student Counseling and Personnel Services by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 24 institutions offering 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 Student Counseling and Personnel Services is found at DePaul University (93 graduates), Kansas State University (K‑State) (83 graduates), Butler University (38 graduates), McDaniel College (38 graduates), and Touro University (38 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 492 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 | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DePaul University |
Master's
|
93 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
83 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Butler University |
Postbac Cert.
|
38 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
| McDaniel College |
Master's
|
38 | Westminster, Maryland | Private | mcdaniel.edu |
| Touro University |
Master's
|
38 | New York, New York | Private | touro.edu |
| Southern Arkansas University (SAU) |
Master's
|
33 | Magnolia, Arkansas | Public | saumag.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
27 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
21 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| University of Missouri-St Louis (UMSL) |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Public | umsl.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Postbac Cert.
|
16 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
15 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| Hofstra University |
Master's
|
14 | Hempstead, New York | Private | hofstra.edu |
| California State University |
Postbac Cert.
|
13 | Los Angeles, California | Public | calstatela.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Post-Master's
|
10 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) |
Master's
|
10 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | famu.edu |
| Liberty University |
Master's
|
9 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Master's
|
5 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Missouri Baptist University (MBU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | mobap.edu |
| Long Island University (LIU) |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Brookville, New York | Private | liu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Master's
|
1 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Universidad Central de Bayamon (UCB) |
Master's
|
1 | Bayamón, Puerto Rico | Private | ucb.edu.pr |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Student Counseling and Personnel Services programs
How much can I earn with a Student Counseling and Personnel Services degree?
Salaries for 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 Student Counseling and Personnel Services programs?
Currently 24 accredited institutions offer Student Counseling and Personnel Services degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include DePaul University (93 graduates), Kansas State University (K‑State) (83 graduates), and Butler University (38 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 Student Counseling and Personnel Services growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 455 in 2010 to 492 in 2023-24. This represents a 8% 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 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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