2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Master’s Degree Schools
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 330 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 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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among mental health counseling/counselor schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $50,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $11,691. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $52,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $55,275 early in their careers. 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 Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $49,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $35,991. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $12,157. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $48,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny City College came in at #7 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. 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%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #8 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. 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 College Of Staten Island landed the #9 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $49,818 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University landed the #10 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value 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, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
University Of North Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $45,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #12 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
San Francisco State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $17,024. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $59,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas Womans University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,421 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,495. That is a strong return on a $24,421 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #17 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $47,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #18 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,312. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,785. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #19 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #20 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,271 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #21 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $19,819. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $49,428 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #22 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Rhode Island College placed #23 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $45,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #24 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,981. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,971. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mental health counseling/counselor:
Other Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Degree Levels
Explore the best-value mental health counseling/counselor schools at other degree levels:
View All Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 330 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 149 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.
