Compare 8 Trauma Counseling. programs in the South. Average earnings: $37,625.
With top graduates earning $56,488, Trauma Counseling stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $19K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
James Madison University's Trauma Counseling program leads with graduates earning $56,488, well above the $37,625 average across 8 Southern programs. Northwestern State University of Louisiana follows at $43,073, demonstrating that regional publics compete effectively against more prestigious institutions in specialized health fields.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. James Madison graduates borrow $20,093 and face just an 8.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, though family debt pushes the burden to 25.5%.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $56,488 | 469 | $20,093 | Good | $37,285 | High |
| #2 | $43,073 | 23 | $25,000 | Manageable | $11,900 | High | |
| #3 | $41,409 | 66 | $20,346 | Manageable | $16,180 | High | |
| #4 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $39,989 | 206 | $24,000 | Challenging | $18,866 | High |
| #5 | Johnson UniversityPrivate | $36,014 | 7 | $21,500 | Challenging | $26,079 | High |
| #6 | $34,671 | 77 | $17,804 | Challenging | $32,258 | High | |
| #7 | Morris CollegePrivate | $28,215 | 12 | $31,400 | High | $9,665 | High |
| #8 | $21,137 | 32 | $14,911 | High | $11,623 | 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 →
