Washington School Counseling Degree Programs

AKA: Washington School Counseling Degree Programs

Washington 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 11 schools who offer degree programs in the field of school counseling.

While school counselors in Washington average $94,438 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023) and salaries are projected to grow 17.3% from 2022 to 2032, you may feel any school will do. However, assessing your options is always worthwhile.

Filter Washington’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 Washington

When selecting a school counseling program in Washington, consider these key factors:

  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 and prepares graduates for professional practice.
  2. Program Focus: Determine if the program aligns with your career goals and interests. Some programs may specialize in areas like elementary, middle, or high school counseling, while others may offer a broader focus.
  3. Field Placement Opportunities: Look for programs that provide ample field placement experiences in schools. This hands-on training will give you valuable practical experience and help you develop essential skills.
  4. Faculty Expertise: Research the faculty members and their areas of expertise. Experienced and knowledgeable faculty can offer guidance, mentorship, and support throughout your program.
  5. Coursework: Review the curriculum to ensure it covers the core competencies required for school counseling, such as counseling theory, group counseling, career counseling, and school counseling programs.
  6. Location and Cost: Consider the location of the program and the associated costs, including tuition, fees, and living expenses.
  7. Student Support Services: Inquire about the availability of student support services, such as academic advising, career counseling, and financial aid.
  8. Program Outcomes: Explore the program’s success rate in placing graduates in school counseling positions and their overall satisfaction with the program.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a school counseling program in Washington that best suits your needs and prepares you for a successful career as a school counselor.

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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 Washington

Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA 1st for In-State Tuition $8,845 IN-STATE TUITION $25,910 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

8,650

Accredited By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Graduation Rate:

60.43%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$8,845

Out-of-State Tuition:

$25,910

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

$16,768

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

93.49%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA 2nd for In-State Tuition $8,967 IN-STATE TUITION $26,873 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

13,686

Accredited By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Graduation Rate:

69.13%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$8,967

Out-of-State Tuition:

$26,873

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

$18,373

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

92.69%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

615

Average SAT Math Score:

585

Washington State UniversityPullman, WA 3rd for In-State Tuition $12,701 IN-STATE TUITION $28,385 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Graduate/Professional Certificate

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

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

22,265

Accredited By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Graduation Rate:

60.45%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$12,701

Out-of-State Tuition:

$28,385

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

$15,484

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

83.1%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Heritage UniversityToppenish, WA 4th for In-State Tuition $19,500 IN-STATE TUITION $19,500 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

796

Accredited By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Graduation Rate:

44.17%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$19,500

Out-of-State Tuition:

$19,500

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

$7,564

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

Not enough data

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

N/A

Average SAT Math Score:

N/A

Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WA 5th for In-State Tuition $37,158 IN-STATE TUITION $37,158 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
$63,181
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

2,409

Accredited By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Graduation Rate:

65.79%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$37,158

Out-of-State Tuition:

$37,158

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

$25,108

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

90.71%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

595

Average SAT Math Score:

580

Saint Martin's UniversityLacey, WA 6th for In-State Tuition $42,220 IN-STATE TUITION $42,220 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

1,344

Accredited By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Graduation Rate:

62.75%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$42,220

Out-of-State Tuition:

$42,220

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

$20,444

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

95.04%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

573

Average SAT Math Score:

538

Whitworth UniversitySpokane, WA 7th for In-State Tuition $48,990 IN-STATE TUITION $48,990 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

2,037

Accredited By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Graduation Rate:

77.36%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$48,990

Out-of-State Tuition:

$48,990

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

$26,736

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

90.52%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

590

Average SAT Math Score:

585

Gonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA 8th for In-State Tuition $50,735 IN-STATE TUITION $50,735 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$47,366

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

5,018

Accredited By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Graduation Rate:

88.63%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$50,735

Out-of-State Tuition:

$50,735

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

$34,331

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

69.74%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

650

Average SAT Math Score:

645

Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA 9th for In-State Tuition $51,324 IN-STATE TUITION $51,324 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$60,700

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

4,033

Accredited By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Graduation Rate:

74.48%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$51,324

Out-of-State Tuition:

$51,324

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

$33,700

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

85.15%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

605

Average SAT Math Score:

620

University of Puget SoundTacoma, WA 10th for In-State Tuition $57,626 IN-STATE TUITION $57,626 OUT-OF-STATE TUITION
Student Counseling and Personnel Services.

Degree Levels Offered

  • Master's Degree

Salary 1 Year After Graduation

Master's Degree
$58,778

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

1,712

Accredited By:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Graduation Rate:

77.53%

Costs

In-State Tuition:

$57,626

Out-of-State Tuition:

$57,626

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

$37,164

Admissions

Applicants Accepted:

82.66%

Average SAT Score:

N/A

Average SAT Reading Score:

640

Average SAT Math Score:

620