Best institutions to study College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
A program that focuses on the organization and provision of counseling, referral, assistance and administrative services to students in postsecondary educational institutions and adult education facilities, and that may prepare individuals to function as professional counselors in such settings.
63 U.S. institutions graduated 948 College Student Counseling and Personnel Services students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1102, a specialization of Student Counseling and Personnel Services (CIP 13.11), and leads most directly to the Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors occupation (BLS SOC 21-1012).
About College Student Counseling and Personnel Services programs
A program that focuses on the organization and provision of counseling, referral, assistance and administrative services to students in postsecondary educational institutions and adult education facilities, and that may prepare individuals to function as professional counselors in such settings. Includes instruction in applicable laws and policies, residential counseling and services, vocational counseling and placement services, remedial skills counseling, and therapeutic counselor intervention.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The College Student Counseling and Personnel Services program, a subset of Student Counseling and Personnel Services, is designed for individuals interested in supporting students in postsecondary educational institutions and adult education facilities. This program prepares students to provide essential counseling, referral, and administrative services, equipping them to function as professional counselors in diverse educational settings.
Students in this program will develop core skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers essential knowledge areas including therapy and counseling, psychology, and administrative practices, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to address the needs of students facing various educational and personal challenges.
Credentials awarded
What College Student Counseling and Personnel Services graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree751 graduates / yr · 52 institutions79%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate89 graduates / yr · 16 institutions9.4%
- Post-master's certificate44 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship31 graduates / yr · 6 institutions3.3%
- Bachelor's degree24 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.5%
- Doctor's degree - other9 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
Graduates over time
College Student Counseling and Personnel Services completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,124 |
| 2013 | 1,108 |
| 2014 | 1,167 |
| 2015 | 1,228 |
| 2016 | 1,158 |
| 2017 | 1,213 |
| 2018 | 1,351 |
| 2019 | 1,181 |
| 2020 | 1,195 |
| 2021 | 1,081 |
| 2022 | 1,110 |
| 2023 | 1,036 |
| 2024 | 952 |
| 2025 | 948 |
Top 50 institutions for College Student Counseling and Personnel Services, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NCPublicMaster'sMaster's | 63 | 44% | — |
| 2 | Seattle University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 50 | 76% | $31,900 |
| 3 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 44 | 85% | — |
| 4 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 42 | 80% | — |
| 5 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 39 | 92% | $26,873 |
| 6 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicMaster'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 38 | 75% | — |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicMaster's | 31 | 56% | — |
| 8 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 30 | 90% | — |
| 9 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NCPublicMaster's | 29 | 57% | — |
| 10 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PAPublicMaster's | 29 | 56% | — |
| 11 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicMaster's | 29 | 79% | — |
| 12 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, ARPublicMaster's | 28 | 55% | — |
| 13 | Wayne State College Wayne, NEPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 24 | 52% | — |
| 14 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 23 | 68% | — |
| 15 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicMaster's | 22 | 86% | — |
| 16 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 22 | 74% | — |
| 17 | Angelo State University San Angelo, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 22 | 44% | — |
| 18 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 62% | $20,686 |
| 19 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston, ILPublicMaster's | 20 | 47% | — |
| 20 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NCPublicMaster's | 20 | 60% | — |
| 21 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster's | 18 | 91% | — |
| 22 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 18 | 84% | — |
| 23 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicMaster's | 17 | 62% | — |
| 24 | California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 70% | $23,129 |
| 25 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 14 | 56% | — |
| 26 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 12 | 63% | — |
| 27 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicMaster's | 12 | 64% | — |
| 28 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitMaster's | 12 | 57% | $10,199 |
| 29 | Western Illinois University Macomb, ILPublicMaster's | 11 | 45% | — |
| 30 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MNPublicMaster's | 11 | 40% | — |
| 31 | Villanova University Villanova, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 11 | 92% | $33,774 |
| 32 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicMaster's | 10 | 65% | — |
| 33 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 80% | — |
| 34 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TXPublicMaster's | 10 | 53% | — |
| 35 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicPost-degree cert. | 9 | 49% | — |
| 36 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicMaster's | 9 | 43% | — |
| 37 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LAPublicMaster's | 9 | 43% | — |
| 38 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PAPublicMaster's | 9 | 54% | — |
| 39 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicMaster's | 8 | 58% | — |
| 40 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicMaster's | 8 | 56% | — |
| 41 | University of Central Arkansas Conway, ARPublicMaster's | 7 | 54% | — |
| 42 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MIPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | 46% | — |
| 43 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | 54% | — |
| 44 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicMaster's | 7 | 66% | — |
| 45 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 62% | — |
| 46 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 7 | 81% | $13,712 |
| 47 | University of Redlands Redlands, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 67% | $22,706 |
| 48 | University of West Florida Pensacola, FLPublicMaster's | 6 | 59% | — |
| 49 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 69% | $27,376 |
| 50 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicDoctoral | 5 | 51% | — |
Offered in 29 states
Where College Student Counseling and Personnel Services graduates come from. Each state links to all Student Counseling and Personnel Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1012, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the College Student Counseling and Personnel Services program can pursue careers as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors, with an annual job growth outlook of 3.5% and approximately 31,000 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $65,140, typically requiring a Master's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1102
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisorsprimary SOC 21-1012 | $64,330 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~31,000 | Master's degree |
Residential Advisors SOC 39-9041 | $42,240 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~17,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in College Student Counseling and Personnel Services programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
- Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
- Counsel individuals or groups to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
- Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.
- Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Tools and technology used
Other Student Counseling and Personnel Services specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Student Counseling and Personnel Services (CIP 13.11).
Common questions
What degree do I need to work in this field?+
A Master's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about 3.5% growth with around 31,000 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for College Student Counseling and Personnel Services?+
College Student Counseling and Personnel Services is CIP 13.1102 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Student Counseling and Personnel Services (CIP 13.11). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the organization and provision of counseling, referral, assistance and administrative services to students in postsecondary educational institutions and adult education facilities, and that may prepare individuals to function as professional counselors in such settings. Includes instruction in applicable laws and policies, residential counseling and services, vocational counseling and placement services, remedial skills counseling, and therapeutic counselor intervention.
How many institutions offer College Student Counseling and Personnel Services programs?+
63 U.S. institutions reported College Student Counseling and Personnel Services graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states, awarding 948 credentials in the year. That is 6.7% of all Student Counseling and Personnel Services graduates.
How much do College Student Counseling and Personnel Services graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors occupation, which College Student Counseling and Personnel Services most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,330 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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