Best Counseling Master's Programs in California

master’s graduates in California earn a weighted average salary of $62,892 3 years after graduation, placing them in the top 10% nationally.

Cost of living is not considered when comparing states.

Our graduate rankings cover 24 of the 41 programs available in California, accounting for 86% of total student graduates. We only include schools with sufficient earnings and/or debt data.

Interested in how we rank schools? Review our ranking methodology.

Filters
  • Psychology
  • Counseling
  • California
  • Clear all filters
Sort By
Earnings
Debt
Rankings
Ranking methodology

20 of 23

#1 in California | #1 in Counseling nationally
Economic score 0.20

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $89,870

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $25,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#2 in California | #9 in Counseling nationally

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

Economic score 0.32

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $76,460

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $30,542

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#3 in California | #10 in Counseling nationally
Economic score 0.35

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $65,703

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $23,985

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#4 in California | #18 in Counseling nationally
Economic score 0.41

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $79,258

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $41,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#5 in California | #20 in Counseling nationally

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

Economic score 0.41

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $92,969

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $61,632

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#6 in California | #23 in Counseling nationally

National University

San Diego, California

Economic score 0.43

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $62,907

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $28,854

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#7 in California | #47 in Counseling nationally

Touro University Worldwide

Los Alamitos, California

Economic score 0.56

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $54,190

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.5

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $27,075

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#8 in California | #50 in Counseling nationally
Economic score 0.56

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $77,023

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.8

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $61,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#9 in California | #53 in Counseling nationally

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California

Economic score 0.59

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $78,513

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.8

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $61,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#10 in California | #68 in Counseling nationally

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, California

Economic score 0.67

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $89,243

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.0

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $89,492

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#11 in California | #129 in Counseling nationally

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, California

Economic score 0.92

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $48,432

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 0.7

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $35,226

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#12 in California | #144 in Counseling nationally

Palo Alto University

Palo Alto, California

Economic score 1.01

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $73,478

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.4

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $99,711

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#13 in California | #156 in Counseling nationally

California Baptist University

Riverside, California

Economic score 1.08

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $59,740

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.0

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $61,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#14 in California | #164 in Counseling nationally

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

Economic score 1.14

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $64,371

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.2

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $79,057

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#15 in California | #166 in Counseling nationally
Economic score 1.16

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $62,884

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $81,798

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#16 in California | #172 in Counseling nationally
Economic score 1.20

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $62,134

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $82,748

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#17 in California | #183 in Counseling nationally

Hope International University

Fullerton, California

Economic score 1.25

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $52,283

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.1

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $55,602

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#18 in California | #185 in Counseling nationally

Pepperdine University

Malibu, California

Economic score 1.30

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $60,822

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.3

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $82,000

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#19 in California | #190 in Counseling nationally

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California

Economic score 1.40

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $52,383

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.2

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $61,500

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

#20 in California | #192 in Counseling nationally

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California

Economic score 1.46

The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

Earnings $45,880

Median earnings of all students 4 years after graduating.

Debt to earnings 1.1

The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.

Debt $50,127

The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.

Show more

How long does it take to pay down debt in clinical, counseling and applied psychology in California?

Years

1.1 years

The average debt accrued from a master's degree in clinical, counseling and applied psychology is covered by average graduate earnings in 1.1 years.

How much do graduates with a master's degree in clinical, counseling and applied psychology earn in California?

Salary

$62,892

The median master's degree in clinical, counseling and applied psychology graduate earns $62,892 4 years after graduating.

How much does a master's degree in clinical, counseling and applied psychology cost in California?

Net cost

$30,857

The average annual cost of a master's degree in clinical, counseling and applied psychology is $30,857. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.

Explore our other rankings

2024 Best Psychology Graduate Programs

Get expert training and cutting-edge research opportunities with the best master's degrees in psychology.

2024 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the U.S.

Liberal arts schools foster critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability, preparing graduates for a broad range of careers and lifelong learning.