2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 64 schools to find the best return on investment for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
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2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #1 spot for value among counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $50,177. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Indiana University South Bend, which ranked #2. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $24,640. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $46,943. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #3 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $42,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
A rank of #4 makes Northeastern Illinois University one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $68,449. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,209. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Indiana State University came in at #6 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,582. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $45,814. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #7 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $49,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #8 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $55,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Oakland University placed #9 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $47,622. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #10 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $50,655. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $45,390 early in their careers. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #12 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $49,958 early in their careers. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $46,263. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #14 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $47,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $42,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ball State University earned the #16 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $24,518. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $46,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,186. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $43,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #19 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,956. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $74,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #20 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $32,807. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $53,752. That is a strong return on a $32,807 median debt.
Cleveland State University earned the #21 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,336. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $47,850 early in their careers. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Grand Valley State University earned the #22 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,498 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Eastern Michigan University placed #23 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $48,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Lewis University came in at #24 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $56,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $47,120. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
