Becoming a College Counselor via Online Education?

At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths. Walden University is a US school (accredited) offering educational counseling courses to train individuals to become top-notch educational counselors, career counselors, higher education specialists, school counselors, college counselors, counselors, etc. Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 251,050 people employed as educational, vocational, and school counselors alone in America, and their average annual salary is $55,030. Colleges and universities like Walden University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into this field.

Typical Work Locations for a College Counselor
  • college
  • admissions office
  • academic student support center
  • evening reporting center
  • residential
  • dorms
  • camp
  • transitional support center
  • alumni office
  • chemical dependency clinic
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a College Counselor
  • work with great people
  • work in a fun environment
  • continue your education
  • make a difference in people's lives
  • travel
  • meet people and have lasting relationships
  • have a great benefits package
  • earn competitive wages
  • have job security
  • be a person that people look towards for advice and comfort
Potential Drawbacks
  • must live on campus or near school
  • has clients that aren't adults yet
  • is available at all hours for crisis counseling
  • has to attend faculty meetings
  • must negotiate between disgruntled students and faculty
  • can't take vacation during school year
  • has clients that disappear for summer
  • can't follow students' progress after graduation
  • must maintain decorum even outside the campus
  • has to be concerned about false sexual abuse charges
Related Professions to Consider
  • Sports Counselor
  • Clinical Counselor
  • Genetic Counselor
  • College Admission Counselor
  • Abuse Counselor
  • Academic Counselor
  • University Counselor
  • Educational Counselor
  • High School counselor
  • Life Counselor
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a College Counselor
  • Tell me a little bit about yourself?
  • What about yourself would you like the admission team to remember most?
  • Whom do you respect in your community and why?
  • What is the most recent book that you have read?
  • What attracts you to our institution?
  • What have you done in your school or community that you are most proud of?
  • Which characteristics of a college are most important to you?
  • How have you been recognized for your accomplishments?
  • When are you at your best Your worst?
  • What aspect of college life do you think will have the most influence on a student?
Common Collaborating Professions
  • College Professor
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Financial Aid Coordinator
  • Librarian
  • College Admissions Officer
  • College Athletic Coach
  • College Drama Coach
  • Psychologist
  • Career Counselor
  • High School Guidance Counselor
College Counselor Training books College Counselor (More) Popular books Potential Companies to Work For Common College Majors
  • Practical Anthropology
  • Language and Culture Learning
  • Models of Clinical Supervision
  • Ethics in Practice
  • Advanced Group Counseling
  • Brief Psychotherapies
  • Multicultural Issues in Counseling
  • Advanced Individual Counseling
  • Special Topics in Counseling
  • Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

College Counselor Salary Information

Category: Educational, vocational, and school counselors

Total # Employed in the US 251,050
Average Hourly Wage: $26.46/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$14.97 $19.35 $25.27 $32.29 $40.42
Average Yearly Salary $55,030
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$31,140 $40,260 $52,550 $67,160 $84,080
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
1.3% 7.3% 10.5% 5.6% 25.0% 45.9% 4.4%
Educational, vocational, and school counselors — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
North Dakota $34.42/hr $71,600
Alaska $30.63/hr $63,720
Mississippi $30.56/hr $63,560
Virginia $29.99/hr $62,370
Kansas $29.34/hr $61,020
Oklahoma $29.33/hr $61,020
Colorado $29.28/hr $60,910
Delaware $28.16/hr $58,580
South Carolina $27.53/hr $57,260
Missouri $27/hr $56,160
Maryland $26.93/hr $56,020
Idaho $26.52/hr $55,150
New York $26.4/hr $54,920
Ohio $26.28/hr $54,670
District of Columbia $26.16/hr $54,420
Kentucky $26.15/hr $54,400
Wyoming $26.12/hr $54,330
Indiana $26.04/hr $54,170
Hawaii $26.03/hr $54,150
Montana $25.76/hr $53,580
Utah $25.47/hr $52,990
Alabama $25.08/hr $52,160
Puerto Rico $24.94/hr $51,880
Florida $24.77/hr $51,520
California $24.62/hr $51,210
North Carolina $24.32/hr $50,590
Tennessee $24.28/hr $50,500
Massachusetts $24.25/hr $50,430
New Mexico $24.1/hr $50,120
Maine $23.61/hr $49,100
Nevada $23.47/hr $48,830
Connecticut $23.29/hr $48,430
Washington $23.14/hr $48,140
Nebraska $22.95/hr $47,740
Guam $22.91/hr $47,650
Michigan $22.66/hr $47,120
Oregon $22.51/hr $46,830
New Hampshire $22.48/hr $46,750
Pennsylvania $22.34/hr $46,470
Iowa $21.8/hr $45,350
Arkansas $21.73/hr $45,190
Wisconsin $21.34/hr $44,380
Louisiana $21.31/hr $44,320
New Jersey $20.78/hr $43,220
South Dakota $20.52/hr $42,690
West Virginia $18.67/hr $38,840


Educational Counseling Programs by State & City