2027 Best Value College Student Counseling & Personnel Services Schools in the Southeast Region

[College Student Counseling & Personnel Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/college-student-counseling-and-personnel-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for college student counseling & personnel services students.
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2027 Best Value College Student Counseling & Personnel Services Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the college student counseling & personnel services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value College Student Counseling & Personnel Services Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for college student counseling & personnel services in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $17,669. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $48,924 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #2 place for college student counseling & personnel services. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
American Public University System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in college student counseling & personnel services, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Pembroke one of the best values for college student counseling & personnel services. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $45,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #5 place for college student counseling & personnel services. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $47,460. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value college student counseling & personnel services schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $47,800. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value college student counseling & personnel services schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $23,399. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,639 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #9 position for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $63,139 early in their careers. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value college student counseling & personnel services schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $45,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University landed the #11 spot for college student counseling & personnel services value this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $24,174. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $40,079. That is a strong return on a $24,174 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
East Carolina University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value college student counseling & personnel services schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $24,747. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $47,601. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #13 position for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. In-state tuition and fees average $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. Students borrow a median of $28,061 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $44,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value college student counseling & personnel services schools. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $20,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $41,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University landed the #15 spot for college student counseling & personnel services value this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $37,904. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #16 spot for college student counseling & personnel services value this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $22,920. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $47,217. Set against $22,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #17 for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $46,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #18 among the best values for college student counseling & personnel services. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $22,113. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $50,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Mississippi State University came in at #19 for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $23,969 in student loans. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $47,383. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #20 among the best values for college student counseling & personnel services. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $47,236. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value college student counseling & personnel services schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $24,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $42,686. Set against $24,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Harding University placed #22 among the best values for college student counseling & personnel services. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $26,715. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of Harding University earn a median of $47,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
James Madison University placed #23 among the best values for college student counseling & personnel services. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,218 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #24 spot for college student counseling & personnel services value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $57,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Hampton University placed #25 among the best values for college student counseling & personnel services. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,592. Students borrow a median of $26,169 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of Hampton University earn a median of $46,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,169 median debt. Hampton University admits about 62% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.