Massachusetts School Counseling Degree Programs

AKA: Massachusetts School Counseling Degree Programs

Massachusetts School Counseling Degree Programs Ranked and Sorted
School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: November 1st, 2024

School Counselor Certification has analyzed data from 16 schools who offer degree programs in the field of school counseling.

While school counselors in Massachusetts average $92,567 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023) and salaries are projected to grow 13.0% from 2022 to 2032, you may feel any school will do. However, assessing your options is always worthwhile.

Filter Massachusetts’ schools offering programs in school/guidance counseling by type of university and rank by institution statistics such as tuition, admission rate, graduation rate and SAT scores.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a School Counseling Program in Massachusetts

When selecting a school counseling program in Massachusetts, consider the following aspects:

  1. Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP). This accreditation signifies that the program meets high standards of quality and prepares graduates for licensure.
  2. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Approval: Confirm that the program is approved by the DESE. This approval is essential for obtaining a Massachusetts school counseling license.
  3. Program Focus: Determine if the program aligns with your career goals and interests. Some programs may specialize in areas like elementary counseling, secondary counseling, or school adjustment counseling.
  4. Curriculum: Evaluate the curriculum to ensure it covers core areas of school counseling, including individual counseling, group counseling, career counseling, and crisis intervention.
  5. Fieldwork and Practicum Experiences: Look for programs that offer ample opportunities for fieldwork and practicum experiences in schools. These experiences provide valuable hands-on training and allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings.
  6. Faculty Expertise: Research the qualifications and experience of the faculty members. Experienced and knowledgeable faculty can provide guidance, mentorship, and support throughout your program.
  7. Location and Campus Environment: Consider the location of the program and the campus environment. If you prefer a specific region or have commuting preferences, these factors should be taken into account.
  8. Cost and Financial Aid: Research the tuition costs and available financial aid options. Consider factors like scholarships, grants, and student loans to determine the affordability of the program.
  9. Program Outcomes: Explore the program’s success rate in preparing graduates for licensure and employment in school counseling positions. Look for data on job placement rates and alumni satisfaction.
  10. Program Culture and Fit: Consider the program’s culture and whether it aligns with your personal values and learning style. Research the program’s philosophy, mission, and the overall student experience.

read more

Department of Education Seal

Data Source:

Dept. of Education - 2025

Schools Listed
Rank By:
Schools

Type of Institution

Program Fields (and degrees offered)

School Counseling Universities/Colleges in Massachusetts

Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg, MA 1st for In-State Tuition $10,921 IN-STATE TUITION $17,001 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Public

Total Enrollment

2,911

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

59.31%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$10,921

Out-of-State Tuition:

$17,001

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$16,266

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

86.06%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

540

Average SAT Math Score:

540

Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA 2nd for In-State Tuition $11,051 IN-STATE TUITION $17,191 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree
  • Graduate/Professional Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$44,582
Graduate/Professional Certificate
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Public

Total Enrollment

7,911

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

61.69%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$11,051

Out-of-State Tuition:

$17,191

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$18,707

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

87.71%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

560

Average SAT Math Score:

545

Salem State UniversitySalem, MA 3rd for In-State Tuition $11,978 IN-STATE TUITION $18,961 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree
  • Graduate/Professional Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$42,114
Graduate/Professional Certificate
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Public

Total Enrollment

4,592

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

60.78%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$11,978

Out-of-State Tuition:

$18,961

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$18,359

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

92.66%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

University of Massachusetts-BostonBoston, MA 4th for In-State Tuition $15,132 IN-STATE TUITION $36,105 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree
  • Graduate/Professional Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$43,192
Graduate/Professional Certificate
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Public

Total Enrollment

11,749

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

52.33%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$15,132

Out-of-State Tuition:

$36,105

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$17,642

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

80.76%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

585

Average SAT Math Score:

585

University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA 5th for In-State Tuition $16,952 IN-STATE TUITION $38,171 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Post-baccalaureate Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Post-baccalaureate Certificate
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Public

Total Enrollment

24,111

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

84.14%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$16,952

Out-of-State Tuition:

$38,171

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$21,846

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

63.52%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

665

Average SAT Math Score:

690

Cambridge CollegeBoston, MA 6th for In-State Tuition $17,190 IN-STATE TUITION $17,190 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree
  • Graduate/Professional Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$46,607
Graduate/Professional Certificate
$45,749

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

656

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

30%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$17,190

Out-of-State Tuition:

$17,190

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$21,178

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

Not enough data

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Lesley UniversityCambridge, MA 7th for In-State Tuition $31,364 IN-STATE TUITION $31,364 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

1,406

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

61.07%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$31,364

Out-of-State Tuition:

$31,364

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$31,187

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

86.23%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

American International CollegeSpringfield, MA 8th for In-State Tuition $40,550 IN-STATE TUITION $40,550 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Post-baccalaureate Certificate
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctoral Degree
  • Graduate/Professional Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Post-baccalaureate Certificate
Not enough data
Master's Degree
Not enough data
Doctoral Degree
Not enough data
Graduate/Professional Certificate
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

1,142

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

44.41%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$40,550

Out-of-State Tuition:

$40,550

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$23,595

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

89.36%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

513

Average SAT Math Score:

513

Springfield CollegeSpringfield, MA 9th for In-State Tuition $41,694 IN-STATE TUITION $41,694 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree
  • Graduate/Professional Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
Not enough data
Graduate/Professional Certificate
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

2,002

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

74.56%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$41,694

Out-of-State Tuition:

$41,694

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$27,201

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

75.63%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

605

Average SAT Math Score:

610

Suffolk UniversityBoston, MA 10th for In-State Tuition $43,332 IN-STATE TUITION $43,332 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

4,325

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

59.87%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$43,332

Out-of-State Tuition:

$43,332

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$27,882

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

86.79%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

600

Average SAT Math Score:

580

Assumption UniversityWorcester, MA 11th for In-State Tuition $47,508 IN-STATE TUITION $47,508 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree
  • Graduate/Professional Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$44,680
Graduate/Professional Certificate
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

1,676

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

73.2%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$47,508

Out-of-State Tuition:

$47,508

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$28,821

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

82.3%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Merrimack CollegeNorth Andover, MA 12th for In-State Tuition $49,196 IN-STATE TUITION $49,196 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

4,065

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

73.54%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$49,196

Out-of-State Tuition:

$49,196

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$36,195

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

74.63%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA 13th for In-State Tuition $57,261 IN-STATE TUITION $57,261 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Post-baccalaureate Certificate
  • Master's Degree
  • Doctoral Degree
  • Graduate/Professional Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Post-baccalaureate Certificate
Not enough data
Master's Degree
Not enough data
Doctoral Degree
Not enough data
Graduate/Professional Certificate
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

7,973

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

98.36%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$57,261

Out-of-State Tuition:

$57,261

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$19,500

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

3.24%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

755

Average SAT Math Score:

775

Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA 14th for In-State Tuition $60,192 IN-STATE TUITION $60,192 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$47,231

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

16,172

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

90.61%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$60,192

Out-of-State Tuition:

$60,192

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$28,521

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

6.8%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

730

Average SAT Math Score:

760

Boston UniversityBoston, MA 15th for In-State Tuition $62,360 IN-STATE TUITION $62,360 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree
  • Doctoral Degree
  • Graduate/Professional Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$42,908
Doctoral Degree
Not enough data
Graduate/Professional Certificate
Not enough data

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

17,668

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

89.59%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$62,360

Out-of-State Tuition:

$62,360

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$27,779

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

14.37%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

700

Average SAT Math Score:

740

Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA 16th for In-State Tuition $64,176 IN-STATE TUITION $64,176 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$44,457

Program fields may include:

  • Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
  • College Student Counseling and Personnel Services.
  • Student Counseling and Personnel Services, Other.
Institution Specifics/Quality

Type of Institution

Private nonprofit

Total Enrollment

9,751

Accredited By:

New England Commission on Higher Education

Graduation Rate:

91.99%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$64,176

Out-of-State Tuition:

$64,176

Average Cost (tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses - minus grant/scholarship aid):

$39,090

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

16.66%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

725

Average SAT Math Score:

750