2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in student counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Student Counseling Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $59,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $14,430. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $67,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #5 place for student counseling. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $46,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for value in student counseling this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $45,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #7 spot for student counseling value this year. 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. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,149. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus placed #8 among the best values for student counseling. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $14,813. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $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 Northridge came in at #9 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $16,202. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $57,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Queens College earned the #11 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #12 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $69,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $48,924. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #14 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #15 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,095. Soon after graduation, student counseling 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.
California State University Sacramento earned the #16 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $17,492. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $59,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #17 among the best values for student counseling. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University placed #18 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University placed #19 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $53,838 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #20 for value in student counseling this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,660. Student Counseling graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #21 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $71,142. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Florida State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $57,059 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #23 for value in student counseling this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $21,620. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $45,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #24 position for value in student counseling this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $73,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #25 spot for student counseling value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $54,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Student Counseling Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s student counseling value ranking:
Other Student Counseling Degree Levels
Explore the best-value student counseling schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 493 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 240 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.
[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.
