2027 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Middle Atlantic 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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $59,968. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. 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. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $69,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #4. 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. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,465 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Kean University, which ranked #5. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,703. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $55,811. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University earned the #6 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $54,513. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $28,304. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $61,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wilmington University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,054. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $56,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #9 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #10 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $53,106. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
New Jersey City University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $22,107. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $55,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,513 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 Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $43,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #14 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,644 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $60,928 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #15 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $44,940. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Canisius College earned the #16 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $42,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rowan University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $50,042. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University At Buffalo placed #18 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $22,232. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $47,049. Set against $26,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #21 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,867. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $51,775. Set against $26,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
New York Institute Of Technology came in at #22 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,560. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,435 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $60,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #23 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $50,778. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The Sage Colleges earned the #25 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,164. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,702 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,304. Set against $26,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Sage Colleges admits about 53% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services:
Narrow Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.