2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Kentucky
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for student counseling students.
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2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Kentucky
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
Our analysis ranked Murray State University the best value for a degree in student counseling in Kentucky. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Eastern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Morehead State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $48,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of The Cumberlands one of the best values for student counseling. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $50,309. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Lindsey Wilson College earned the #6 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $37,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Louisville earned the #7 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $21,910. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $46,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Campbellsville University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $43,474. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Spalding University earned the #9 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,000. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $29,862 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $56,331. Set against $29,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
More Student Counseling Rankings
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
