2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Ohio
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 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 Ohio
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
Sinclair Community College earned the #1 spot for value among mental health counseling/counselor schools in Ohio. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $13,613. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #2 place for mental health counseling/counselor. 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. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Youngstown State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #4 spot this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. 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.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ursuline College landed the #7 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,990. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Ursuline College earn a median of $80,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Walsh University came in at #8 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,030 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,064 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Walsh University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,064 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Heidelberg University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the town of Tiffin, Heidelberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Heidelberg University generally make around $42,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kent State University At Kent placed #10 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $43,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Malone University placed #11 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Malone University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,160. Students borrow a median of $27,956 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Malone University earn a median of $48,359 early in their careers. Set against $27,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $40,516. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Capital University placed #13 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,269 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Capital University earn a median of $46,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Capital University admits about 70% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $44,649 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $53,508. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $46,689. Set against $53,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
John Carroll University landed the #16 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,131. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,866. Set against $26,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $42,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Xavier University came in at #18 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $47,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,614 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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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 · 18 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.
