2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in New York
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 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 New York
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 earned the #1 spot for value among mental health counseling/counselor schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $11,091. 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. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $12,678. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $55,275 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #5 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. 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. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $48,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #7 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $49,818 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $47,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $56,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #10 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $51,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny At Albany landed the #11 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $53,103. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport landed the #12 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $38,328. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
University At Buffalo earned the #14 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #15 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,304. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Canisius College came in at #16 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. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,673. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $52,015 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Molloy College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $27,420. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $65,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Alfred University landed the #18 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Alfred. In-state tuition and fees average $38,138. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,706. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $46,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alfred University admits about 74% of applicants.
Saint John Fisher College placed #19 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,190. Students borrow a median of $25,086 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,515. That is a strong return on a $25,086 median debt. Saint John Fisher College admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Rochester placed #20 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $21,517. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $48,836. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Iona College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Rochelle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,260. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $54,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iona College admits about 87% of applicants.
Touro College landed the #22 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,052. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Touro College earn a median of $48,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
St Johns University New York placed #23 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $59,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Adelphi University placed #24 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $47,687. Set against $25,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York placed #25 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,656. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,125. That is a strong return on a $25,656 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental health counseling/counselor value ranking:
More Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
