2026 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental health counseling/counselor education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 55 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 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
For return on investment in mental health counseling/counselor, no school beat Elgin Community College this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,613 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $29,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,613 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Dupage one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Columbus State Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. 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.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,146. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #8 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $17,600. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $50,825 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Youngstown State University landed the #10 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,373. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #11 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $46,551. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Indiana State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $43,930. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Governors State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $51,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #14 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $20,542. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Central Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $40,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Cleveland State University came in at #18 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #19 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $44,811. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $40,426. Set against $44,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,730. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Siena Heights University earned the #21 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,778 in tuition and fees. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,790 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $41,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,790 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Lewis University came in at #22 for value in mental health counseling/counselor 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. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $38,831. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ursuline College placed #23 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $80,267. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #24 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #25 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $46,139 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental health counseling/counselor value ranking:
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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 · 55 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.
