[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.
College Factual analyzed 290 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools.
2027 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the United States
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
Our analysis ranked California State University San Bernardino the best value for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in the United States. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,149. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $67,075. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
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. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #5 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $45,604 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Fresno came in at #6 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge came in at #7 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $57,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #8 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #9 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, 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 placed #10 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
California State University Long Beach placed #11 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,732. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $41,465. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #13 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. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. 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%.
California State University Sacramento earned the #14 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, 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. 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 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $14,694. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $57,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida landed the #16 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $48,924. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay placed #17 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Texas A And M International University landed the #18 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,095. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $54,867 early in their careers. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #19 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,886. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $51,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #20 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #21 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,117. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #22 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, 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. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $73,361. That is a strong return on a $17,020 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University placed #23 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,475. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $48,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #24 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $45,569. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #25 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $57,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% 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:
The ranking above is published 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 · 290 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 290 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.
