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 88 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value student counseling schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the student counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in student counseling, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $17,669. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,924. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $53,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Florida International University one of the best values for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $46,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #4 place for student counseling. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $45,569. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $48,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for student counseling. 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, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Marshall University came in at #7 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $47,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University landed the #8 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $60,249 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Murray State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #10 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,523. Student Counseling graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $51,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Valdosta State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $67,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
American Public University System earned the #12 position for value in student counseling this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #13 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $27,089. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $45,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Fort Valley State University came in at #14 for value in student counseling this year. Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fort Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,526, compared with $16,878 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $35,963. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $32,127. Set against $35,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #15 position for value in student counseling this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $47,460. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #16 position for value in student counseling this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $49,357. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University earned the #17 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,896. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $48,352. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #18 position for value in student counseling this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $47,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #19 among the best values for student counseling. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,427. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #20 spot for student counseling value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of West Alabama came in at #21 for value in student counseling this year. University Of West Alabama is a large public school located in the rural area of Livingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $62,006 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #22 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $63,139. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #23 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $42,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Albany State University earned the #24 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,656, compared with $17,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $28,158. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $47,466. Set against $28,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #25 spot for student counseling value this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,122. Student Counseling graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $42,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s student counseling value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 88 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.