2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the New England Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 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 New England 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
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #1 spot for value among mental health counseling/counselor schools in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $48,427. Set against $11,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Students borrow a median of $12,033 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $27,799. That is a strong return on a $12,033 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Community College Of Rhode Island, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,940 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $39,680. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #4. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $41,255. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Boston earned it the #5 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,236. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $54,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Fitchburg State University landed the #6 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,840 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $51,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Vermont Technical College came in at #7 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $41,822 early in their careers. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $35,115 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $39,109. That is a strong return on a $35,115 median debt.
Southern Connecticut State University came in at #9 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $54,415. Set against $24,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Plymouth State University came in at #10 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,972. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $44,487. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
American International College landed the #11 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,230. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $66,104. Set against $30,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rivier College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashua. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,488. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $28,917. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Rivier College generally make around $52,060. That is a strong return on a $28,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Suffolk University earned the #13 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $47,550. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,670 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,911. Set against $26,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
New England College landed the #14 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,474. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $35,038. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from New England College generally make around $68,950. That is a strong return on a $35,038 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield College came in at #15 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,974 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $27,151. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Springfield College admits about 72% of applicants.
Johnson And Wales University Providence placed #16 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,982. Students borrow a median of $26,350 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $51,138. That is a strong return on a $26,350 median debt. Johnson And Wales University Providence admits about 88% of applicants.
Cambridge College came in at #17 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Boston, Cambridge College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,378 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,776 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $53,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lesley University landed the #18 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. Students borrow a median of $24,818 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,290. Set against $24,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of New Haven ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,332. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $49,615. Set against $26,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Albertus Magnus College earned the #20 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Albertus Magnus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,908. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $36,919. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Albertus Magnus College generally make around $50,188. Set against $36,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Albertus Magnus College admits about 59% of applicants.
Southern New Hampshire University placed #21 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,200. Students borrow a median of $33,428 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $48,017 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern New Hampshire University admits about 100% of applicants.
Merrimack College came in at #22 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Sacred Heart University came in at #23 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,404. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,831. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $62,864. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sacred Heart University admits about 65% of applicants.
Fairfield University earned the #24 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,400. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,687 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $52,092 early in their careers. Set against $26,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Narrow Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools by State
More Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Rankings
View All Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Rankings >
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
