2027 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Illinois
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
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2027 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Illinois
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
For return on investment in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, no school beat Eastern Illinois University this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $27,639. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $42,905. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,209. 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. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $68,449 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis University earned it the #5 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago placed #6 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $74,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University landed the #7 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,380. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $57,401 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Depaul University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
