2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Massachusetts

[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 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools.
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2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Massachusetts
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 tops our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $12,033. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $27,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Fitchburg State University, which ranked #3. 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. Set against $25,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $54,309. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
American International College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,230. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $30,390. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $66,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.
Suffolk University earned the #6 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. Students from in state pay about $47,550 in tuition and fees. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $50,911. That is a strong return on a $26,670 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Springfield College came in at #7 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,974. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $27,151 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,880. That is a strong return on a $27,151 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Cambridge College came in at #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,378. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $29,776 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $53,180. Set against $29,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lesley University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Students borrow a median of $24,818 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $47,290 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,818 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Merrimack College placed #10 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.