North Carolina School Counseling Degree Programs

AKA: North Carolina School Counseling Degree Programs

North Carolina 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 15 schools who offer degree programs in the field of school counseling.

While school counselors in North Carolina average $61,952 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023) and salaries are projected to grow 11.6% from 2022 to 2032, you may feel any school will do. However, assessing your options is always worthwhile.

Filter North Carolina’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 North Carolina

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

  1. Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This guarantees that the program meets high standards for counselor education.
  2. Program Focus: Determine if the program aligns with your career goals. Some programs may specialize in areas like elementary, middle, or high school counseling, or specific counseling approaches like school-based mental health counseling or school-to-career transition.
  3. Field Experiences: Look for programs that offer ample field experiences, such as internships or practicums, to gain hands-on experience in school counseling settings.
  4. Faculty Expertise: Research the qualifications and experience of the faculty members. Their expertise can significantly influence your learning experience and career preparation.
  5. Program Outcomes: Explore the program’s success rates in terms of student placement in schools, licensure exam pass rates, and graduate satisfaction.
  6. Program Philosophy: Consider the program’s approach to school counseling. Some programs may emphasize a particular theoretical framework or counseling approach.
  7. Cost and Financial Aid: Evaluate the tuition, fees, and financial aid options available to help you manage the cost of the program.
  8. Location and Campus Culture: Consider your preferences for location and the overall campus culture of the university.
  9. Program Length and Flexibility: Determine if the program’s length and scheduling options align with your personal and professional commitments.
  10. Networking Opportunities: Evaluate the program’s opportunities for networking with other students, faculty, and professionals in the field.

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 North Carolina

University of North Carolina at PembrokePembroke, NC 1st for In-State Tuition $3,495 IN-STATE TUITION $7,495 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$40,286

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

5,544

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

44.76%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$3,495

Out-of-State Tuition:

$7,495

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

$8,421

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

89.74%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

520

Average SAT Math Score:

495

Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC 2nd for In-State Tuition $4,453 IN-STATE TUITION $8,453 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$39,817

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

9,809

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

64.89%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$4,453

Out-of-State Tuition:

$8,453

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

$13,801

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

84.84%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

580

Average SAT Math Score:

565

North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC 3rd for In-State Tuition $6,599 IN-STATE TUITION $19,635 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$43,550

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

5,101

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

52.98%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$6,599

Out-of-State Tuition:

$19,635

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

$14,014

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

84.38%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

540

Average SAT Math Score:

500

North Carolina A & T State UniversityGreensboro, NC 4th for In-State Tuition $6,733 IN-STATE TUITION $20,243 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$44,291

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

11,553

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

54.61%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$6,733

Out-of-State Tuition:

$20,243

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

$10,582

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

56.39%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

545

Average SAT Math Score:

535

University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC 5th for In-State Tuition $7,214 IN-STATE TUITION $21,338 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
$41,059
Doctoral Degree
Not enough data
Graduate/Professional Certificate
$34,670

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

23,063

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

67.01%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$7,214

Out-of-State Tuition:

$21,338

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

$15,018

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

79.64%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

605

Average SAT Math Score:

615

East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC 6th for In-State Tuition $7,325 IN-STATE TUITION $23,602 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
$42,605
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

20,385

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

66.68%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$7,325

Out-of-State Tuition:

$23,602

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

$16,703

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

92.34%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC 7th for In-State Tuition $7,450 IN-STATE TUITION $23,454 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
$38,092
Graduate/Professional Certificate
$37,036

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

Public

Total Enrollment

18,467

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

73.94%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$7,450

Out-of-State Tuition:

$23,454

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

$14,765

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

83.08%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

610

Average SAT Math Score:

605

University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC 8th for In-State Tuition $7,498 IN-STATE TUITION $22,657 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

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

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$39,686
Doctoral Degree
Not enough data
First Professional 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

13,862

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

60.89%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$7,498

Out-of-State Tuition:

$22,657

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

$10,907

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

91.94%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

608

Average SAT Math Score:

570

University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC 9th for In-State Tuition $8,989 IN-STATE TUITION $37,550 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$45,402

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

19,921

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

91.39%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$8,989

Out-of-State Tuition:

$37,550

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

$12,414

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

17.11%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

625

Average SAT Math Score:

635

North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC 10th for In-State Tuition $9,128 IN-STATE TUITION $30,869 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
$38,510
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

25,109

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

86.03%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,128

Out-of-State Tuition:

$30,869

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

$16,563

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

47.17%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

665

Average SAT Math Score:

690

Salem CollegeWinston-Salem, NC 11th for In-State Tuition $31,016 IN-STATE TUITION $31,016 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$46,313

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

331

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

66%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$31,016

Out-of-State Tuition:

$31,016

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

$16,717

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

87.49%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

580

Average SAT Math Score:

547

Gardner-Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, NC 12th for In-State Tuition $32,200 IN-STATE TUITION $32,200 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

1,811

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

53.51%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$32,200

Out-of-State Tuition:

$32,200

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

$20,984

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

74.95%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

545

Average SAT Math Score:

543

Campbell UniversityBuies Creek, NC 13th for In-State Tuition $39,230 IN-STATE TUITION $39,230 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

2,933

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

54.89%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$39,230

Out-of-State Tuition:

$39,230

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

$24,004

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

88.58%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

575

Average SAT Math Score:

555

Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityHickory, NC 14th for In-State Tuition $43,000 IN-STATE TUITION $43,000 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$41,616

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

1,393

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

45.66%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$43,000

Out-of-State Tuition:

$43,000

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

$21,596

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

82.89%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC 15th for In-State Tuition $62,128 IN-STATE TUITION $62,128 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$40,913

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

5,446

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

89.12%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$62,128

Out-of-State Tuition:

$62,128

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

$34,720

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

21.37%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A