Missouri School Counseling Degree Programs

AKA: Missouri School Counseling Degree Programs

Missouri 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 12 schools who offer degree programs in the field of school counseling.

While school counselors in Missouri average $62,672 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023) and salaries are projected to grow 6.2% from 2022 to 2032, you may feel any school will do. However, assessing your options is always worthwhile.

Filter Missouri’s 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 Missouri

Here are some key aspects to consider when selecting a school counseling program in Missouri:

  1. Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This guarantees the program meets high standards for quality and prepares graduates for successful careers.
  2. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Approval: Confirm that the program is approved by the DESE. This ensures that graduates will be eligible to obtain the necessary state certification to practice as a school counselor in Missouri.
  3. Program Focus: Determine if the program aligns with your career goals. Some programs may specialize in elementary, middle, or high school counseling, while others offer a more generalist approach.
  4. Curriculum: Evaluate the curriculum to ensure it covers the core competencies required for school counselors, such as counseling, consultation, and coordination. Look for programs that offer a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
  5. Field Experience: Consider the amount and quality of field experience opportunities provided by the program. These experiences are essential for developing practical skills and gaining exposure to different school settings.
  6. Faculty Expertise: Research the faculty’s qualifications and experience in the field of school counseling. Look for programs with faculty who are actively engaged in research and have a strong commitment to student success.
  7. Program Size and Class Sizes: Consider the size of the program and the class sizes. Smaller programs may offer more personalized attention and opportunities for mentorship.
  8. Location and Cost: Evaluate the location of the program and the associated costs, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. Consider factors such as the job market in the area and the potential for networking opportunities.
  9. Student Support Services: Inquire about the support services available to students, such as academic advising, career counseling, and financial aid. These services can be valuable in helping you succeed in the program.
  10. Program Outcomes: Research the program’s success rate in terms of graduate employment and licensure. Look for programs with a strong track record of preparing students for successful careers as school counselors.

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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 Missouri

Lincoln UniversityJefferson City, MO 1st for In-State Tuition $8,386 IN-STATE TUITION $15,616 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

1,323

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

28.07%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$8,386

Out-of-State Tuition:

$15,616

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

$9,423

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

Not enough data

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield, MO 2nd for In-State Tuition $8,604 IN-STATE TUITION $17,144 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$35,481

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

13,332

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

59.69%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$8,604

Out-of-State Tuition:

$17,144

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

$17,262

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

92.56%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

555

Average SAT Math Score:

550

Truman State UniversityKirksville, MO 3rd for In-State Tuition $9,014 IN-STATE TUITION $17,036 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

2,920

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

75.42%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,014

Out-of-State Tuition:

$17,036

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

$13,256

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

45.05%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

602

Average SAT Math Score:

590

Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO 4th for In-State Tuition $9,015 IN-STATE TUITION $15,585 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
$42,014
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

7,010

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

52.96%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,015

Out-of-State Tuition:

$15,585

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

$14,288

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

86.31%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

University of Central MissouriWarrensburg, MO 5th for In-State Tuition $9,413 IN-STATE TUITION $17,453 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

5,920

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

51.84%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,413

Out-of-State Tuition:

$17,453

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

$14,759

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

71.34%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO 6th for In-State Tuition $9,502 IN-STATE TUITION $15,569 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

4,679

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

53.58%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,502

Out-of-State Tuition:

$15,569

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

$13,732

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

85.56%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

515

Average SAT Math Score:

528

University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City, MO 7th for In-State Tuition $11,287 IN-STATE TUITION $27,760 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
$39,474
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

6,479

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

53.62%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$11,287

Out-of-State Tuition:

$27,760

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

$13,242

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

69.48%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

657

Average SAT Math Score:

668

University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis, MO 8th for In-State Tuition $11,693 IN-STATE TUITION $29,960 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$40,063

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

5,378

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

57.26%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$11,693

Out-of-State Tuition:

$29,960

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

$11,986

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

51.11%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

575

Average SAT Math Score:

585

University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia, MO 9th for In-State Tuition $11,981 IN-STATE TUITION $31,970 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
$48,350
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

Public

Total Enrollment

23,206

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

74.21%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$11,981

Out-of-State Tuition:

$31,970

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

$19,979

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

79.13%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

625

Average SAT Math Score:

615

Stephens CollegeColumbia, MO 10th for In-State Tuition $25,586 IN-STATE TUITION $25,586 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
$36,604
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

404

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

59.78%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$25,586

Out-of-State Tuition:

$25,586

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

$22,101

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

64.15%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

575

Average SAT Math Score:

525

Evangel UniversitySpringfield, MO 11th for In-State Tuition $26,400 IN-STATE TUITION $26,400 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$34,036

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

1,246

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

48.63%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$26,400

Out-of-State Tuition:

$26,400

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

$20,848

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

67.91%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Missouri Baptist UniversitySaint Louis, MO 12th for In-State Tuition $33,316 IN-STATE TUITION $33,316 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$37,283

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

1,508

Accredited By:

Higher Learning Commission

Graduation Rate:

35.27%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$33,316

Out-of-State Tuition:

$33,316

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

$25,404

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

70.9%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

515

Average SAT Math Score:

475