2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong student counseling education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 83 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for student counseling students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for student counseling in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $59,968. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $13,303. Student Counseling graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $45,604 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $41,465. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Jersey City University earned it the #5 place for student counseling. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $55,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Kean University earn a median of $55,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University came in at #7 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Holy Family University landed the #8 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $59,355. Set against $26,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #9 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $20,836. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Wilmington University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. Students from in state pay about $12,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,054. Student Counseling graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $56,496 early in their careers. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercy College earned the #11 position for value in student counseling this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego placed #12 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $53,106. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $60,928. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,513. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $43,914. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,757. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $49,502. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #16 among the best values for student counseling. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $41,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Niagara University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $51,918. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #18 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Canisius College earned the #19 position for value in student counseling this year. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $42,672 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bowie State University placed #20 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,218, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Students borrow a median of $28,474 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $47,668. Set against $28,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo came in at #21 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #22 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,330. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,860. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
New York Institute Of Technology came in at #23 for value in student counseling this year. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,560. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,435 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Mcdaniel College came in at #24 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,081 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,247 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Mcdaniel College generally make around $57,554. That is a strong return on a $23,247 median debt. Mcdaniel College admits about 78% of applicants.
Rowan University landed the #25 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $50,042 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Student Counseling Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for student counseling this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
