2027 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong counselor education/school counseling & guidance services education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
Leading the list is Oakland University, our #1 best value for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana State University one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $50,177. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Superior one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $50,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #6 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, 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. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $42,905. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Eastern Illinois University placed #8 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $24,293. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $45,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $24,245. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $55,454. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northern Illinois University placed #10 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $52,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #12 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $49,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 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 Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $49,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University earned the #14 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $24,518. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $46,331. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #15 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $46,263. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #16 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $42,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #17 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $28,781. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $48,103. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #18 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,378. 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. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University earned the #19 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $56,337 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $33,307 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $46,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,307 median debt.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,836. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $42,187. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Michigan State University came in at #22 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,213. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $52,282. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago came in at #23 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,956. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $74,696. Set against $26,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #24 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,821. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $48,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,228. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 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), 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
