2027 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/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 238 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental health counseling/counselor students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the United States
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
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $11,091. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,493. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $52,721 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $12,678. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $55,275. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,619. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $35,991. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,160. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $49,328 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Cuny City College landed the #7 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Utah Valley University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Cuny Queens College placed #9 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $48,080. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #10 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $14,688. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,818. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Oakland University landed the #12 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,972. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #13 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,081. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #14 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $17,020. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $59,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,020 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #15 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $52,271. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,785. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Florida came in at #17 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $18,523. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $45,840. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College earned the #18 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $45,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #19 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $49,428. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #20 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University ranked #21 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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,000. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,592. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Texas Womans University came in at #22 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,211. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $24,421 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $47,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,421 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $20,274. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $47,652. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #25 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for mental health counseling/counselor this year:
Other Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor rankings across degree levels:
View All Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 238 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 238 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.
