2027 Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools in the Southeast Region

[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong marriage and family therapy/counseling education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for marriage and family therapy/counseling students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools in the Southeast Region
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
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $35,991. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Florida State University one of the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $50,259. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in marriage and family therapy/counseling will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $20,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $50,127. Set against $20,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes North Carolina A And T State University one of the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,294. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $48,847. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of West Alabama came in at #7 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. University Of West Alabama is a large public school located in the rural area of Livingston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. 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.
Valdosta State University landed the #8 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $42,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
East Carolina University placed #9 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $47,542. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Monroe came in at #10 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $22,465. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $47,162. Set against $22,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
Appalachian State University earned the #11 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $45,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #12 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $24,962. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $35,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Our Lady Of Holy Cross College placed #13 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,576. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $43,500 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Our Lady Of Holy Cross College earn a median of $42,650 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $43,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Louisville came in at #14 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $21,910. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $58,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Lee University came in at #15 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $26,422. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $38,249. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Stetson University came in at #16 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,410. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $25,382. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Stetson University generally make around $38,619. That is a strong return on a $25,382 median debt. Stetson University admits about 72% of applicants.
Regent University landed the #17 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $41,047. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University earned the #18 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Harding University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Loyola University New Orleans came in at #19 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,440. Students borrow a median of $26,606 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Loyola University New Orleans generally make around $48,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University New Orleans admits about 93% of applicants.
Converse College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Set in the city of Spartanburg, Converse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,240. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Converse College earn a median of $38,940 early in their careers. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Converse College admits about 68% of applicants.
Mercer University landed the #21 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $32,463. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $41,850. Set against $32,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University landed the #22 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $34,077. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Jacksonville University earned the #23 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,150. Students borrow a median of $25,619 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $52,738. Set against $25,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants.
Montreat College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Montreat, Montreat College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,450. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $24,168 in student loans. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $29,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montreat College admits about 69% of applicants.
Mississippi College came in at #25 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,500. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,510 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $39,336. Set against $25,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s marriage and family therapy/counseling value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.