Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Debt and budget counselor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a debt and budget counselor. Debt and budget counselors usually study business, linguistics, or psychology. 55% of debt and budget counselors hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 16 real debt and budget counselor resumes to see exactly what debt and budget counselor education sections show.
The most common colleges for debt and budget counselors are the Dominican University and the Dominican University.
There are also many online debt and budget counselor courses to help get the education required to be a debt and budget counselor.
What education do you need to become a debt and budget counselor?
What degree do you need to be a debt and budget counselor?
- Bachelor's, 55%
- Associate, 18%
- High School Diploma, 9%
- Master's, 9%
- Other Degrees, 9%
What should I major in to become a debt and budget counselor?
- Business, 22%
- Linguistics, 11%
- Psychology, 11%
- School Counseling, 11%
- Other Majors, 45%
Most common colleges for debt and budget counselors
| Debt and budget counselor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Dominican University | 28.57% |
| San Diego State University | 14.29% |
| Ashford University | 14.29% |
| University of Phoenix | 14.29% |
| University of Rhode Island | 14.29% |
Best majors for debt and budget counselors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 22.2% |
| 2 | Linguistics | 11.1% |
| 3 | Psychology | 11.1% |
| 4 | School Counseling | 11.1% |
| 5 | Engineering | 11.1% |
Best colleges for debt and budget counselors
The best colleges for debt and budget counselors are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.
A debt and budget counselor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for debt and budget counselors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become debt and budget counselors.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
7. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
8. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
20 best online courses for debt and budget counselors
Advertising disclosure
1. Budgeting essentials and development
The Budgeting Essentials and Development course focus on an integrative and practical view of concepts, methods, and techniques to develop a budget. After finishing this course, learners will be able to: - Develop the budget with a broad view of the corporate functions; - Integrate the strategic guidelines into the discussions of budgeting process; - Structure the budget planning and development in a logical sequence - Coordinate the project of budget planning with the different areas of the...
2. Personal & Family Financial Planning
Personal and Family Financial Planning will address many critical personal financial management topics in order to help you learn prudent habits both while in school and throughout your lifetime...
3. Acorns' Guide to Personal Finance
5 Steps to Building Wealth: Budget Better, Pay Off Debt Faster, Save and Earn More Money and Invest Wisely...
4. Master Your Money: 6 Steps to Financial Wellness
Take control of your finances! Create an effective budget, pay off your debt, and start saving for the future...
5. Financial Planning & Analysis: Building a Company's Budget
Learn the Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Position Your Career for Success!...
6. IT Project Budget & Cost Management
Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...
7. Personal Finance Masterclass - Easy Guide to Better Finances
Your complete personal finance guide to understanding finances. Save more, invest smarter, reduce loans, retire earlier!...
8. Personal Financial Well-Being
Understanding Your Financial Life...
9. The Personal Finance and Wealth Management Masterclass
Become an Expert in Personal Finance and Investing. Learn MBA-Level Financial Analysis. Master Finance Fundamentals...
10. Corporate Finance: Financial Analysis and Decision-Making
Unlocking Financial Insights for Informed Decision-Making and Valuation Strategies: An In-Depth Course...
11. Building an Organizational Budget
Design program budgets from a simplified approach along with conceptual understandings...
12. Learn How To Budget - Personal budgeting made easy
Everything you need to KNOW and everything you need to DO to set and stick to a monthly budget...
13. Personal Finance: Financial Security Thinking & Principles
How to secure your financial future the fun & easy way! Personal Finance: Financial Security Thinking & Principles...
14. Financial Modelling, Financial Planning and DCF Valuation
How to create a startup or existing company financial model from scratch and carry out the DCF Valuation...
15. Financial Budgeting and Forecasting In Excel Complete Course
Template Included! Learn how to build a financial model using Microsoft Excel. Become a financial model expert...
16. Budgets, Cashflow Forecasting and Management Accounts
Financial Management and Making A Profit For Charities, Not-For-Profits & Small Businesses...
17. Investment Banking: The Complete Financial Ratio Analysis
Investment Banking For Investors & Financial Analysts - How to Perform Financial Statement Analysis & Company Valuation...
18. Flexible Budgets, Standard Costs, & Variance Analysis
Maximizing Financial Insight: Mastering Variance Analysis and Budgeting for Strategic Decision-Making...
19. Financial Planning Coaching Certification Holistic Coaching
Financial Planning Coaching Practitioner Course Graduates Prepared Professionals in Holistic Financial Planning Coaching...
20. Time Value of Money & Capital Budgeting - Present Value
Mastering Financial Decision-Making: Time Value of Money & Capital Budgeting for Long-Term Success...
Top 10 most affordable universities for debt and budget counselors
The most affordable schools for debt and budget counselors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and university of florida.
If the best universities for debt and budget counselors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for debt and budget counselors.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
7. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
8. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
9. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
10. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for debt and budget counselors
The hardest universities for debt and budget counselors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.
Some great schools for debt and budget counselors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for debt and budget counselors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
10. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for debt and budget counselors
The easiest schools for debt and budget counselors to get into are Barry University, holy names university, and university of north texas at dallas.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a debt and budget counselor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for debt and budget counselors.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
3. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
5. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
6. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
7. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
8. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
9. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
10. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
Average debt and budget counselor salary by education level
| Debt and budget counselor education level | Debt and budget counselor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $78,482 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $60,897 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $70,903 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $61,484 |
Debt and budget counselor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.
Search for debt and budget counselor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025