Compare 40 Trauma Counseling. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $42,055. Top programs: $76,896+.
With top graduates earning $76,896, Trauma Counseling stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $34K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The data puts University of Pennsylvania first, with Trauma Counseling graduates earning $76,896 compared to the $42,055 average across all programs. James Madison University follows at $56,488, demonstrating that regional publics compete effectively in specialized healthcare fields where outcomes depend on program strength, not school brand.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Pennsylvania graduates borrow $15,715 and face just a 4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, proving top programs can also be affordable.
Highest program earnings: $76,896
Strong outcomes ($56,488) with 76% acceptance
4% payment burden | Excellent
13.6% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $76,896 | 75 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Manageable |
| #2 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $56,488 | 469 | $20,093 | Good | $37,285 | High |
| #3 | Chicago State UniversityPublic | $54,274 | 11 | $30,625 | Manageable | $13,256 | Challenging |
| #4 | $51,923 | 57 | $22,334 | Good | $20,000 | Challenging | |
| #5 | $51,681 | 14 | $21,058 | Good | $11,598 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $50,421 | 62 | $19,500 | Good | $17,518 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $48,777 | 17 | $22,162 | Good | $19,508 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $47,722 | 18 | $24,499 | Manageable | $14,745 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $46,128 | 55 | $21,106 | Manageable | $13,695 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $46,108 | 11 | $19,500 | Good | $17,148 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $45,339 | 42 | $24,147 | Manageable | $19,000 | High | |
| #12 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $45,326 | 21 | $25,325 | Manageable | $40,932 | High |
| #13 | University Of KansasPublic | $44,853 | 24 | $21,000 | Manageable | $32,347 | High |
| #14 | $44,393 | 84 | $11,399 | Excellent | $9,350 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $43,948 | 49 | $23,592 | Manageable | $15,000 | High | |
| #16 | $43,073 | 23 | $25,000 | Manageable | $11,900 | High | |
| #17 | Indiana State UniversityPublic | $42,930 | 62 | $24,000 | Manageable | $17,049 | High |
| #18 | $42,687 | 33 | $21,056 | Manageable | $23,508 | High | |
| #19 | Washburn UniversityPublic | $42,183 | 20 | $18,127 | Manageable | $13,741 | Challenging |
| #20 | Alvernia UniversityPrivate | $41,974 | 32 | $27,000 | Challenging | $36,500 | High |
| #21 | $41,409 | 66 | $20,346 | Manageable | $16,180 | High | |
| #22 | Davenport UniversityPrivate | $41,225 | 38 | $26,000 | Challenging | $18,037 | High |
| #23 | $41,053 | 50 | $16,500 | Manageable | $13,200 | Challenging | |
| #24 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $40,196 | 137 | $19,620 | Manageable | $30,126 | High |
| #25 | $40,182 | 9 | $21,474 | Manageable | $17,287 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →