2026 Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marriage and family therapy/counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among marriage and family therapy/counseling schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $17,669. 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. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in marriage and family therapy/counseling will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #2. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #3 place for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $50,259. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 40% 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $29,078. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Monroe placed #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,190, compared with $21,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,465 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $47,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,465 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Alabama ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $53,270. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University earned the #8 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $28,661. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $42,694 early in their careers. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #9 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $47,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Appalachian State University earned the #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $45,701. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #11 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $35,274. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Louisville came in at #12 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $58,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Our Lady Of Holy Cross College came in at #13 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,576 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $42,650. That is a strong return on a $43,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $29,451. 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.
Johnson University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,122. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $22,913. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Johnson University generally make around $34,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $38,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University earned the #17 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $26,715. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Harding University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College came in at #18 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,510 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Mississippi College earn a median of $39,336 early in their careers. Set against $25,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
John Brown University landed the #19 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Siloam Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,756. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $25,216. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from John Brown University generally make around $50,420. That is a strong return on a $25,216 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Stetson University placed #20 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,382 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Stetson University earn a median of $38,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University landed the #21 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Students borrow a median of $32,463 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $41,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #22 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,440 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,606 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $48,040. Set against $26,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Lipscomb University placed #23 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $34,077. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Jacksonville University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,150. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $52,738. Set against $25,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Montreat College came in at #25 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Montreat, Montreat College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,450. Students borrow a median of $24,168 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. 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.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in marriage and family therapy/counseling:
Narrow Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
