by our College Data Analytics Team
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for student counseling students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in student counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in student counseling, no school beat Oakland University this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,972. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $47,622. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,582. Student Counseling graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $45,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $50,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,640. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Superior earned it the #5 place for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,812, while out-of-state students pay about $16,726. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $50,655. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.
Wayne State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $47,990. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Western Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $42,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #8 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,293. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $45,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #9 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $55,454. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,167 early in their careers. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #11 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $17,600. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $68,449. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #12 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $49,958. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #13 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $49,148. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #14 spot for student counseling value this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $46,331 early in their careers. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #15 among the best values for student counseling. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,263. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #16 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $42,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Eastern Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for student counseling. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #18 for value in student counseling this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,378. Student Counseling graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,498 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Lewis University placed #19 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Student Counseling 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. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #20 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,307 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $46,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,307 median debt.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $42,187 early in their careers. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago placed #22 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $74,696. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #23 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,279. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Michigan State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,213. Student Counseling graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $52,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #25 position for value in student counseling this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,091. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s student counseling value ranking:
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.