by our College Data Analytics Team
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) 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 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value student counseling schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the student counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Western Illinois University earned the #1 spot for value among student counseling schools in Illinois. 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. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $42,905. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #2 place for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Northeastern Illinois University, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $17,600. Student Counseling graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $68,449 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Concordia University Chicago, which ranked #5. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,956. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University placed #6 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. 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. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University earned the #7 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, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $21,896. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,091. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Roosevelt University earned the #8 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $60,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Bradley University earned the #9 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,380. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $57,401. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University landed the #10 spot for student counseling value this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,310. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $52,699. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.