2026 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for college student counseling & personnel services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in college student counseling & personnel services in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $48,924. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value college student counseling & personnel services schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $23,420. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in college student counseling & personnel services will find it at American Public University System, which ranked #3. 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. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in college student counseling & personnel services will find it at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $45,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in college student counseling & personnel services will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $47,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #6 for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #7 position for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $47,460 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Western Carolina University landed the #8 spot for college student counseling & personnel services value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $40,079. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #9 spot for college student counseling & personnel services value this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $23,257. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $39,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Georgia landed the #10 spot for college student counseling & personnel services value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $63,139. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for college student counseling & personnel services value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $45,639. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Memphis ranked #12 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $45,618. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #13 position for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Set in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for college student counseling & personnel services graduates is $28,061. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $44,984. That is a strong return on a $28,061 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University came in at #14 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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $47,383. That is a strong return on a $23,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Appalachian State University came in at #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. 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. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University came in at #16 for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $42,873. That is a strong return on a $31,173 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #17 among the best values for college student counseling & personnel services. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $47,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for college student counseling & personnel services. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Students borrow a median of $20,385 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $45,997. That is a strong return on a $20,385 median debt. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #19 for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $50,118. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value college student counseling & personnel services schools. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,920 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $47,217. Set against $22,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #21 position for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Soon after graduation, college student counseling & personnel services degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $47,236. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #22 spot for college student counseling & personnel services value this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $57,000. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Harding University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value college student counseling & personnel services schools. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. College Student Counseling & Personnel Services graduates of Harding University earn a median of $47,027 early in their careers. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
James Madison University placed #24 among the best values for college student counseling & personnel services. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $52,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #25 for value in college student counseling & personnel services this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete the college student counseling & personnel services program here. Early-career college student counseling & personnel services graduates make about $42,686. That is a strong return on a $24,472 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value College Student Counseling & Personnel Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in college student counseling & personnel services:
Narrow College Student Counseling & Personnel Services Schools by State
More College Student Counseling & Personnel Services Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
