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: September 30th, 2026

Department of Education Seal

Data Source:

Dept. of Education - 2026

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

While school counselors in Tennessee average $72,810 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2025) and salaries are projected to grow 10.3% from 2024 to 2034, 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.
Schools Listed

School Counseling Universities/Colleges in Tennessee

Tennessee State UniversityNashville, TN 1st for In-State Tuition $8,616 IN-STATE TUITION $22,416 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

4,848

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

34.57%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$8,616

Out-of-State Tuition:

$22,416

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

$15,796

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

70.11%

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 $9,006 IN-STATE TUITION $14,766 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

7,560

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

43.31%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$9,006

Out-of-State Tuition:

$14,766

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

$9,735

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

96.41%

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 $10,266 IN-STATE TUITION $31,574 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

16,301

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

56.09%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$10,266

Out-of-State Tuition:

$31,574

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

$13,359

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

69.09%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

565

Average SAT Math Score:

545

The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN 4th for In-State Tuition $10,448 IN-STATE TUITION $18,512 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

10,074

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

53.56%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$10,448

Out-of-State Tuition:

$18,512

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

$14,265

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

81.09%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

580

Average SAT Math Score:

550

East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN 5th for In-State Tuition $10,472 IN-STATE TUITION $14,522 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

10,004

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

56%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$10,472

Out-of-State Tuition:

$14,522

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

$15,983

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

86.19%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

The University of Tennessee-MartinMartin, TN 6th for In-State Tuition $10,560 IN-STATE TUITION $16,600 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

4,866

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

53.8%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$10,560

Out-of-State Tuition:

$16,600

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

$10,701

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

88.2%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

555

Average SAT Math Score:

535

University of MemphisMemphis, TN 7th for In-State Tuition $10,728 IN-STATE TUITION $15,384 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

12,701

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

51.17%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$10,728

Out-of-State Tuition:

$15,384

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

$12,397

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

72.03%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TN 8th for In-State Tuition $11,376 IN-STATE TUITION $15,576 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

8,698

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

62.36%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$11,376

Out-of-State Tuition:

$15,576

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

$14,246

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

76.13%

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 $13,812 IN-STATE TUITION $33,256 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

30,418

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

73.78%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$13,812

Out-of-State Tuition:

$33,256

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

$18,976

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

41.6%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

630

Average SAT Math Score:

625

Johnson UniversityKnoxville, TN 10th for In-State Tuition $21,122 IN-STATE TUITION $21,122 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

743

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

64.12%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$21,122

Out-of-State Tuition:

$21,122

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

$22,063

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

65.11%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

545

Average SAT Math Score:

538

Lee UniversityCleveland, TN 11th for In-State Tuition $23,790 IN-STATE TUITION $23,790 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

2,617

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

63.65%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$23,790

Out-of-State Tuition:

$23,790

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

$18,878

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

70.52%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

565

Average SAT Math Score:

550

Freed-Hardeman UniversityHenderson, TN 12th for In-State Tuition $25,620 IN-STATE TUITION $25,620 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

1,212

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

69.75%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$25,620

Out-of-State Tuition:

$25,620

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

$21,574

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

59.68%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

548

Average SAT Math Score:

543

Lincoln Memorial UniversityHarrogate, TN 13th for In-State Tuition $26,938 IN-STATE TUITION $26,938 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

1,572

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

50.76%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$26,938

Out-of-State Tuition:

$26,938

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

$20,406

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

62.59%

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 $34,700 IN-STATE TUITION $34,700 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

1,387

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

57.46%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$34,700

Out-of-State Tuition:

$34,700

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

$20,251

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

90.45%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

535

Average SAT Math Score:

510

Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TN 15th for In-State Tuition $40,572 IN-STATE TUITION $40,572 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

2,997

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

69.46%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$40,572

Out-of-State Tuition:

$40,572

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

$24,739

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

67.73%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

600

Average SAT Math Score:

585

Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN 16th for In-State Tuition $67,498 IN-STATE TUITION $67,498 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

7,208

Accredited By:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Graduation Rate:

93.09%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$67,498

Out-of-State Tuition:

$67,498

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

$15,846

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

5.86%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

745

Average SAT Math Score:

780

Rank By:
Schools

Type of Institution

Program Fields (and degrees offered)