[Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 291 schools to find the best return on investment for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
Finding the Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services School for You
The counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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.
Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in the United States. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $14,430. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $59,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 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 Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $13,303. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $45,604 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Fresno earned the #6 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,598. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $46,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge landed the #7 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $57,751. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #8 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Bakersfield placed #9 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Utah Valley University came in at #10 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach came in at #11 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #12 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,465. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $13,213. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $69,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #14 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,492 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 Sacramento generally make around $59,543. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $57,345. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida came in at #16 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,924. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University placed #17 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $54,867. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay landed the #18 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $71,142. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #19 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $51,759. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #20 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. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $53,838. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #21 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Portland State University landed the #22 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $48,263 early in their careers. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #23 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,020 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $73,361. Set against $17,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $45,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $46,820. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
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:
Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 291 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 291 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).
[Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
