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2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Washington

2 Colleges in the United States
$16,188 Avg Student Debt
$49,230 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Washington

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

1
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among mental health counseling/counselor schools in Washington. Located in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $34,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Olympic College crest
Olympic College
Bremerton, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Olympic College earned it the #2 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Highline Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, 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. That is a strong return on a $8,958 median debt.

4
Northwest University crest
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest University earned it the #4 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,035. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $22,439. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Northwest University earn a median of $53,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,439 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Faith Evangelical College And Seminary one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Tacoma, Faith Evangelical College And Seminary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,850. Students borrow a median of $17,813 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $42,103. That is a strong return on a $17,813 median debt.

6

Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies placed #6 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,652 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $22,366. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies generally make around $51,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

View All Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Rankings >

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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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