Tennessee School Counseling Degree Programs

AKA: Tennessee School Counseling Degree Programs

Tennessee 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 Tennessee average $64,705 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023) and salaries are projected to grow 20.7% from 2022 to 2032, you may feel any school will do. However, assessing your options is always worthwhile.

Filter Tennessee’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 Tennessee

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

  1. Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation signifies that the program meets rigorous standards for quality education and prepares graduates for professional practice.
  2. Coursework and Curriculum: Review the program’s curriculum to ensure it aligns with your interests and career goals. Look for courses that cover topics such as counseling theories, group counseling, career counseling, school counseling ethics, and crisis intervention.
  3. Field Experiences: Prioritize programs that offer ample field experiences, including practicum and internship placements. These opportunities allow you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, gain practical skills, and build professional networks.
  4. Faculty Expertise: Research the qualifications and experience of the faculty members. Look for professors who are actively involved in research, have practical experience in the field, and are dedicated to mentoring students.
  5. Program Outcomes: Investigate the program’s success rate in placing graduates in counseling positions. Consider the employment rates, starting salaries, and areas of specialization of recent graduates.
  6. Program Format: Determine if you prefer a full-time or part-time program, online or in-person learning, or a combination of both. Consider your personal circumstances and learning style when making this decision.
  7. Cost and Financial Aid: Research the tuition costs, fees, and financial aid options available. Compare the total cost of the program with the potential earnings and job opportunities after graduation.
  8. Program Philosophy and Mission: Consider the program’s philosophy and mission to ensure it aligns with your own values and goals. Look for programs that emphasize social justice, diversity, and equity in counseling practice.

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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 Tennessee

Tennessee State UniversityNashville, TN 1st for In-State Tuition $8,336 IN-STATE TUITION $21,692 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

7,346

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

29.53%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$8,336

Out-of-State Tuition:

$21,692

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

$11,643

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

Not enough data

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN 2nd for In-State Tuition $8,431 IN-STATE TUITION $13,975 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$39,225

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

7,054

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

47.35%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$8,431

Out-of-State Tuition:

$13,975

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

$15,914

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

93.82%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN 3rd for In-State Tuition $9,232 IN-STATE TUITION $28,264 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
$39,500
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

16,239

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

53.56%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,232

Out-of-State Tuition:

$28,264

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

$13,267

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

72.54%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

565

Average SAT Math Score:

545

East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN 4th for In-State Tuition $9,674 IN-STATE TUITION $13,484 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$36,106

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

9,772

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

51.8%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,674

Out-of-State Tuition:

$13,484

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

$12,886

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

85.26%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TN 5th for In-State Tuition $9,802 IN-STATE TUITION $19,834 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
$39,073
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

8,341

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

58.73%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,802

Out-of-State Tuition:

$19,834

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

$14,426

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

78.1%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN 6th for In-State Tuition $9,848 IN-STATE TUITION $25,966 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
$40,956
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

9,820

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

51.66%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,848

Out-of-State Tuition:

$25,966

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

$13,539

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

82.65%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

580

Average SAT Math Score:

550

The University of Tennessee-MartinMartin, TN 7th for In-State Tuition $9,912 IN-STATE TUITION $15,952 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$40,470

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

4,629

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

54.95%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,912

Out-of-State Tuition:

$15,952

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

$11,952

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

88.44%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

555

Average SAT Math Score:

535

University of MemphisMemphis, TN 8th for In-State Tuition $10,056 IN-STATE TUITION $14,280 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
$38,919
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

14,181

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

54.76%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$10,056

Out-of-State Tuition:

$14,280

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

$13,216

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

94.6%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN 9th for In-State Tuition $13,244 IN-STATE TUITION $31,664 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree
  • Doctoral Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$42,866
Doctoral 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

26,905

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

72.38%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$13,244

Out-of-State Tuition:

$31,664

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

$19,400

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

68.41%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

630

Average SAT Math Score:

625

Johnson UniversityKnoxville, TN 10th for In-State Tuition $19,274 IN-STATE TUITION $19,274 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

668

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

65.19%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$19,274

Out-of-State Tuition:

$19,274

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

$20,947

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

63.21%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

545

Average SAT Math Score:

538

Lee UniversityCleveland, TN 11th for In-State Tuition $21,730 IN-STATE TUITION $21,730 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

2,932

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

63.44%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$21,730

Out-of-State Tuition:

$21,730

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

$20,083

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

72.59%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

565

Average SAT Math Score:

550

Freed-Hardeman UniversityHenderson, TN 12th for In-State Tuition $24,300 IN-STATE TUITION $24,300 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

1,384

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

66.18%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$24,300

Out-of-State Tuition:

$24,300

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

$18,490

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

91.19%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

548

Average SAT Math Score:

543

Lincoln Memorial UniversityHarrogate, TN 13th for In-State Tuition $25,180 IN-STATE TUITION $25,180 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
$39,504
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

1,461

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

53.92%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$25,180

Out-of-State Tuition:

$25,180

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

$18,859

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

78.48%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

546

Average SAT Math Score:

564

Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson City, TN 14th for In-State Tuition $33,000 IN-STATE TUITION $33,000 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
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

1,426

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

52.25%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$33,000

Out-of-State Tuition:

$33,000

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

$18,584

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

79.78%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

535

Average SAT Math Score:

510

Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TN 15th for In-State Tuition $37,152 IN-STATE TUITION $37,152 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

2,950

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

69.39%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$37,152

Out-of-State Tuition:

$37,152

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

$26,070

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

71.12%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

600

Average SAT Math Score:

585

Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN 16th for In-State Tuition $60,348 IN-STATE TUITION $60,348 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$42,874

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

7,144

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

93.19%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$60,348

Out-of-State Tuition:

$60,348

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

$20,917

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

6.67%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

745

Average SAT Math Score:

780