2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental health counseling/counselor education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for mental health counseling/counselor in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. 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. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $52,721. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $49,619 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. 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%.
Cuny Queens College placed #6 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $48,080. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $49,818. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $56,693. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #9 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $47,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Students borrow a median of $27,128 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $46,995 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,128 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Anne Arundel Community College came in at #11 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,832 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Set against $11,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #12 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $51,339 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Wilmington University placed #13 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,054. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $48,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University landed the #14 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. Set against $26,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,521. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $53,103. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #16 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport landed the #17 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,757. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $39,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #18 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh placed #19 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $38,328. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Canisius College came in at #20 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,200. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $52,015. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #21 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #22 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $28,263. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $38,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Waynesburg University placed #23 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $27,000. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Waynesburg University earn a median of $55,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Waynesburg University admits about 90% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #24 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Centenary College came in at #25 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,732. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,081 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Centenary College earn a median of $46,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Centenary College admits about 83% of applicants.
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:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
