Best institutions to study Mental Health Counseling/Counselor
A program that prepares individuals to provide evaluations, referrals, and short-term counseling services to help people prevent or remediate personal problems, conflicts, and emotional crises.
305 U.S. institutions graduated 12,033 Mental Health Counseling/Counselor students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1508, a specialization of Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15).
About Mental Health Counseling/Counselor programs
A program that prepares individuals to provide evaluations, referrals, and short-term counseling services to help people prevent or remediate personal problems, conflicts, and emotional crises. Includes instruction in human development, psychopathology, individual and group counseling, personality theory, career assessment, patient screening and referral, observation and testing techniques, interviewing skills, professional standards and ethics, and applicable laws and regulations.
See also: 42.2803 - Counseling Psychology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Mental Health Counseling/Counselor program prepares individuals to provide essential support in mental health settings. This program is designed for those interested in helping others navigate personal challenges, emotional crises, and conflicts through counseling and evaluation services. Graduates are equipped to work in various environments, addressing the mental health needs of diverse populations.
Students in this program gain knowledge in human development, psychopathology, and counseling techniques. Coursework typically includes training in individual and group counseling, personality theory, and professional ethics, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for real-world applications in mental health services.
Credentials awarded
What Mental Health Counseling/Counselor graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree10,916 graduates / yr · 265 institutions91%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate517 graduates / yr · 27 institutions4.3%
- Post-master's certificate286 graduates / yr · 18 institutions2.4%
- Associate's degree129 graduates / yr · 17 institutions1.1%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year91 graduates / yr · 10 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship42 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years18 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks13 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Bachelor's degree12 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.1%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice9 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
Graduates over time
Mental Health Counseling/Counselor completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,357 |
| 2013 | 4,349 |
| 2014 | 5,198 |
| 2015 | 5,445 |
| 2016 | 5,621 |
| 2017 | 6,173 |
| 2018 | 6,229 |
| 2019 | 6,368 |
| 2020 | 6,846 |
| 2021 | 7,603 |
| 2022 | 8,448 |
| 2023 | 9,568 |
| 2024 | 10,855 |
| 2025 | 12,033 |
Top 50 institutions for Mental Health Counseling/Counselor, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster's | 953 | — | — | — |
| 2 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 872 | 43% | $21,535 | $37,693 |
| 3 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 822 | 20% | $19,369 | — |
| 4 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 349 | 43% | $34,565 | $43,886 |
| 5 | Lamar University Beaumont, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 222 | 37% | — | — |
| 6 | Lesley University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 205 | 58% | $30,837 | — |
| 7 | Colorado Christian University Lakewood, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 197 | 64% | $23,447 | — |
| 8 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitMaster's | 189 | 21% | $15,478 | — |
| 9 | Antioch University - New England Keene, NHPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 188 | — | — | — |
| 10 | Bellevue University Bellevue, NEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 178 | 33% | $29,230 | — |
| 11 | Alfred University Alfred, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 172 | 57% | $22,481 | — |
| 12 | Palo Alto University Palo Alto, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 121 | — | — | — |
| 13 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 120 | 53% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicMaster's | 111 | 75% | — | — |
| 15 | Saint Edward's University Austin, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 110 | 63% | $24,630 | — |
| 16 | Antioch University - Seattle Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 109 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Cambridge College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 98 | 11% | — | — |
| 18 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NYPublicMaster's | 98 | 56% | — | — |
| 19 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 95 | 83% | $25,376 | — |
| 20 | Merrimack College North Andover, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 87 | 70% | $33,877 | — |
| 21 | University of West Alabama Livingston, ALPublicMaster's | 86 | 35% | — | — |
| 22 | Prescott College Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 85 | 56% | $23,166 | — |
| 23 | Houston Christian University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 84 | 49% | $21,247 | — |
| 24 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 82 | 57% | $24,639 | — |
| 25 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 79 | 0% | — | — |
| 26 | Divine Mercy University Sterling, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 78 | — | — | — |
| 27 | Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Provo, UTPrivate for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 77 | — | — | — |
| 28 | Richmont Graduate University Chattanooga, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 75 | — | — | — |
| 29 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 73 | 54% | — | — |
| 30 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 72 | 84% | $33,246 | — |
| 31 | Adler Graduate School Minnetonka, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 69 | — | — | — |
| 32 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 66 | 70% | $22,641 | — |
| 33 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicMaster'sMaster's | 66 | 57% | — | — |
| 34 | Lenoir - Rhyne University Hickory, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 66 | 48% | $23,920 | — |
| 35 | John Carroll University University Heights, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 64 | 79% | $25,705 | — |
| 36 | Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 63 | 55% | $32,031 | — |
| 37 | Lewis & Clark College Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 63 | 75% | $27,621 | — |
| 38 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicMaster's | 60 | 51% | — | — |
| 39 | Bradley University Peoria, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 57 | 76% | $21,768 | — |
| 40 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 57 | 54% | — | — |
| 41 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 56 | 49% | $17,436 | — |
| 42 | John Brown University Siloam Springs, ARPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 53 | 72% | $20,325 | — |
| 43 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 53 | 75% | — | — |
| 44 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 53 | 52% | — | $34,541 |
| 45 | William James College Newton, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 52 | — | — | — |
| 46 | University of Mary Bismarck, NDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 52 | 67% | $16,753 | — |
| 47 | Mercy University Dobbs Ferry, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 49 | 46% | $17,604 | — |
| 48 | Pace University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 49 | 60% | $29,994 | — |
| 49 | Youngstown State University Youngstown, OHPublicMaster's | 49 | 50% | — | — |
| 50 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicMaster's | 48 | 61% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.15) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 48 states & territories
Where Mental Health Counseling/Counselor graduates come from. Each state links to all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
Graduates of the Mental Health Counseling/Counselor program often pursue careers as Mental Health Counselors. With over 12,000 graduates annually and 305 colleges offering this program in the U.S., there is a robust pathway for entering the mental health field, providing critical support to those in need.
Career pathways for CIP 51.1508
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mental Health Counselors SOC 21-1014 | — | — | — | — |
Other Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15).
- Substance Abuse/CIP 51.1501
Addiction Counseling 6,319 graduates / yr387 institutions - Marriage and Family Therapy/CIP 51.1505
Counseling 4,547 graduates / yr138 institutions - Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsCIP 51.15993,932 graduates / yr111 institutions
- Clinical/CIP 51.1503
Medical Social Work 3,398 graduates / yr53 institutions - Psychiatric/CIP 51.1502
Mental Health Services Technician 2,776 graduates / yr77 institutions - Community Health Services/CIP 51.1504
Liaison/ Counseling 2,189 graduates / yr102 institutions - Genetic Counseling/CIP 51.1509
Counselor 402 graduates / yr36 institutions - Clinical Pastoral Counseling/CIP 51.1506
Patient Counseling 217 graduates / yr18 institutions - Trauma CounselingCIP 51.1513214 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Psychoanalysis and PsychotherapyCIP 51.1507limited data10 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Medical Family Therapy/CIP 51.1511
Therapist limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions - Hospice and Palliative CareCIP 51.1512limited data5 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Infant/
Toddler Mental Health Services51.1510
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What degree do I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, a Post-master's certificate, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in counseling techniques, human development, and ethical practices in mental health.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Mental Health Counselor, providing support and services to individuals facing mental health challenges.
How many colleges offer this program?+
There are 305 colleges in the U.S. that offer the Mental Health Counseling/Counselor program.
What is the CIP code for Mental Health Counseling/Counselor?+
Mental Health Counseling/Counselor is CIP 51.1508 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (CIP 51.15). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to provide evaluations, referrals, and short-term counseling services to help people prevent or remediate personal problems, conflicts, and emotional crises. Includes instruction in human development, psychopathology, individual and group counseling, personality theory, career assessment, patient screening and referral, observation and testing techniques, interviewing skills, professional standards and ethics, and applicable laws and regulations.
How many institutions offer Mental Health Counseling/Counselor programs?+
305 U.S. institutions reported Mental Health Counseling/Counselor graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 48 states & territories, awarding 12,033 credentials in the year. That is 33.4% of all Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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