2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Mental Health Counseling/Counselor](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/mental-health-counseling-counselor/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for mental health counseling/counselor students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mental health counseling/counselor degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
Our analysis ranked Elgin Community College the best value for a degree in mental health counseling/counselor in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $7,727. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $13,613 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $29,812. Set against $13,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Parkland College earned it the #3 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $10,168. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #5 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $46,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $46,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #8 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,981. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,000. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $43,930 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,485. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,306. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #12 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. 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, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Youngstown State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,373. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,025. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Andrews University came in at #14 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $62,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Governors State University landed the #15 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,990. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $51,711. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #17 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $42,266. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Cleveland State University placed #18 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,648. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #19 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Aquinas College Michigan came in at #21 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,218. Students borrow a median of $25,925 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $40,708. Set against $25,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University landed the #22 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,838. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $38,831. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ursuline College came in at #23 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,990. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Ursuline College generally make around $80,267. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #24 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $44,811 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $42,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $44,811 median debt.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,202. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Set against $26,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mental health counseling/counselor:
Narrow Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools by State
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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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
