2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
[Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong counselor education/school counseling & guidance services education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 476 schools to find the best return on investment for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
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Finding the Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services School for You
Where you study counselor education/school counseling & guidance services affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $11,091. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $59,968 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #2 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $58,659. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $67,075 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $45,604. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno landed the #6 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $46,137 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #7 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #8 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $16,202. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $57,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #10 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #11 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $12,157. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #12 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $69,652. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Florida came in at #13 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance 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. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #14 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $51,759 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University earned the #15 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $54,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $17,492. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $59,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #17 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $14,694. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $57,345. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University landed the #18 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #19 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $20,212. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $53,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $57,536. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $71,142 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #22 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $60,249. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #23 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $45,569. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $21,829. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $54,334 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
San Francisco State University came in at #25 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $73,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 476 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 217 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.
