Compare 34 Trauma Counseling. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $51,031. Top programs: $76,395+.
With top graduates earning $76,395, Trauma Counseling stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $25K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige. Across 34 ranked programs, a Virginia regional public and a Texas land-grant sit just behind an Ivy, upending any assumption that name recognition predicts outcomes.
The University of Pennsylvania leads with Trauma Counseling graduates earning $76,395—well above the $51,031 field average. But the more instructive finding is what follows: James Madison University, a public school in Harrisonburg, VA, places second at $67,033, and Texas A&M-College Station lands third at $66,865. Both accessible public institutions outperform dozens of higher-profile schools, reinforcing that program quality drives earnings, not prestige.
For students borrowing on their own, Penn is the clear standout: graduates carry just $15,715 in federal loans and face a 4% payment burden—firmly 'Excellent' by GPS standards, meaning loan payments take a trivial share of discretionary income. For families factoring in parent loans, New Mexico Highlands University leads instead, with a combined family debt of $20,749 and a 10.1% family burden, rated 'Good'—proof that the best choice depends on who's financing the degree.
Highest program earnings: $76,395
Strong outcomes ($67,033) with 72% acceptance
4.0% payment burden | Excellent
10.1% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $76,395 | 61 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Manageable |
| #2 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $67,033 | 453 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Challenging |
| #3 | $66,865 | 47 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $63,505 | 67 | $19,500 | Excellent | $17,518 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $63,218 | 44 | $24,147 | Good | $19,000 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Davenport UniversityPrivate | $58,907 | 30 | $26,000 | Good | $18,037 | Manageable |
| #7 | $57,998 | 27 | $21,056 | Good | $23,508 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $57,266 | 56 | $21,106 | Good | $13,695 | Manageable | |
| #9 | University Of KansasPublic | $57,252 | 22 | $21,000 | Good | $32,347 | Challenging |
| #10 | $55,586 | 45 | $22,162 | Good | $19,508 | Challenging | |
| #11 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $54,395 | 16 | $25,325 | Good | $40,932 | High |
| #12 | $52,735 | 13 | $21,250 | Good | $23,602 | Challenging | |
| #13 | $52,517 | 69 | $11,399 | Excellent | $9,350 | Good | |
| #14 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $52,243 | 107 | $19,620 | Good | $30,126 | High |
| #15 | $52,211 | 66 | $23,592 | Good | $15,000 | Challenging | |
| #16 | $51,502 | 39 | $22,334 | Good | $20,000 | Challenging | |
| #17 | Rhode Island CollegePublic | $51,379 | 30 | $20,500 | Good | $14,512 | Manageable |
| #18 | Indiana State UniversityPublic | $51,288 | 41 | $24,000 | Good | $17,049 | Challenging |
| #19 | $50,598 | 53 | $16,500 | Good | $13,200 | Manageable | |
| #20 | $49,660 | 10 | $20,210 | Good | $15,360 | Challenging | |
| #21 | $49,129 | 57 | $20,346 | Good | $16,180 | Challenging | |
| #22 | Alvernia UniversityPrivate | $48,809 | 18 | $27,000 | Manageable | $36,500 | High |
| #23 | $48,604 | 50 | $22,734 | Good | $8,950 | Manageable | |
| #24 | Washburn UniversityPublic | $48,327 | 23 | $18,127 | Good | $13,741 | Challenging |
| #25 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $47,604 | 175 | $24,000 | Manageable | $18,866 | 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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
