2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Far Western Region
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools to find the best return on investment for student counseling students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the student counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Student Counseling Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Los Angeles the best value for a degree in student counseling in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $67,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,886. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $51,759. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Student Counseling 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.
California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $46,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #8 position for value in student counseling this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling 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 Sacramento landed the #10 spot for student counseling value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $59,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
San Francisco State University came in at #11 for value in student counseling this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $17,024. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $73,361. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State University East Bay came in at #12 for value in student counseling this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $71,142 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Jose State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $49,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno Pacific University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $80,354. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
Portland State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $48,263. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Sonoma State University placed #17 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,031. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $56,566. That is a strong return on a $18,031 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #18 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $52,062. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #19 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $19,273. Student Counseling graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $53,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #20 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $55,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Azusa Pacific University landed the #21 spot for student counseling value this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University earned the #22 position for value in student counseling this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $55,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Redlands came in at #23 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $27,175. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $62,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle Pacific University placed #24 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,188. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $69,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Christian University landed the #25 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,800. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $55,900. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Student Counseling Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in student counseling:
Narrow Student Counseling Schools by State
More Student Counseling Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
