2026 Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the marriage and family therapy/counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools
Leading the list is California State University Northridge, our #1 best value for marriage and family therapy/counseling in the United States. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $35,991 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in marriage and family therapy/counseling will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $50,259 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marriage and family therapy/counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $12,157. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Utah Valley University landed the #6 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #7 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $49,328 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas Womans University placed #8 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #9 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $40,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #10 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $21,181. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #11 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $50,825. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #12 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $49,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University placed #13 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $26,703. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
San Diego State University came in at #14 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #15 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $58,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.
University Of West Alabama earned the #16 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $31,894. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $53,270. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $40,622. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #18 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,190, with out-of-state students paying around $21,290. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $22,465 in student loans. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $47,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Mercy College came in at #19 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $56,693. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Fitchburg State University placed #20 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $25,840. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $48,965. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #21 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $46,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Trevecca Nazarene University placed #22 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $24,962. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $35,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #23 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Appalachian State University landed the #24 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $21,992. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $46,417 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $42,694. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in marriage and family therapy/counseling:
Other Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Degree Levels
Explore the best-value marriage and family therapy/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 · 165 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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.
[Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/marriage-and-family-therapy-counseling/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
