2027 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Southwest 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.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Southwest 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
The University Of Texas Pan American tops our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $54,867. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned it the #3 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $57,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Western New Mexico University, which ranked #4. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $27,425. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #5 spot this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $60,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
East Central University came in at #6 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $21,840. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of East Central University earn a median of $51,442 early in their careers. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #7 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $19,819. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #8 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $45,667. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #9 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $43,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $21,645. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $50,832. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #11 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #12 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Sul Ross State University came in at #13 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,592, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $18,951. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $44,296. That is a strong return on a $18,951 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Angelo State University landed the #14 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $57,529. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico Highlands University placed #15 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $18,900. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,494. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #16 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #17 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,567. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #18 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $49,015. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University placed #19 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $46,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $22,337. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,685. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Southern University placed #21 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,637, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $41,890. That is a strong return on a $35,330 median debt. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of The Southwest ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,670. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of The Southwest earn a median of $54,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #23 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $51,218. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Texas Tech University landed the #24 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $43,346 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University came in at #25 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 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
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
