2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
[Mental Health Counseling/Counselor](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/mental-health-counseling-counselor/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 248 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental health counseling/counselor students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor School for You
The right mental health counseling/counselor school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mental health counseling/counselor, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in mental health counseling/counselor in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,493. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $52,721 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $12,678. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $55,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Elgin Community College earned it the #4 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $49,619. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
University Of Florida came in at #7 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $35,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #8 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,328. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College placed #9 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Utah Valley University came in at #10 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Parkland College landed the #11 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Parkland College is a large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $10,168. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College earned the #12 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $48,080. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Highline Community College came in at #13 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $8,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College placed #14 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,613 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $29,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #15 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Austin Community College District came in at #16 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $19,185 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $31,821. That is a strong return on a $19,185 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #17 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $49,818. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Skagit Valley College earned the #18 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $34,290. That is a strong return on a $14,056 median debt.
Columbus State Community College landed the #19 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage placed #20 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Essex Community College placed #21 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Students borrow a median of $12,033 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $27,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University came in at #22 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $46,551. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #23 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Community College Of Rhode Island placed #24 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $13,940. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Olympic College placed #25 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,497 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mental health counseling/counselor this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Mental Health Counseling/Counselor. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 248 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 248 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.
