2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Southeast Region
[Mental Health Counseling/Counselor](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/mental-health-counseling-counselor/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 68 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental health counseling/counselor students.
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2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Southeast 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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among mental health counseling/counselor schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $35,991 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at University Of North Florida, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $45,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Marshall University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $48,028 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Kentucky University earned it the #4 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,572. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Monroe ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,190, with out-of-state students paying around $21,290. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $22,465. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $47,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,465 median debt. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of West Alabama ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $31,894. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #8 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,747. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $47,542. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #9 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $42,873. That is a strong return on a $24,373 median debt. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas earned the #10 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $38,566. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University landed the #11 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,360. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University placed #12 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $31,173. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #13 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $46,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University placed #14 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,938. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $64,307. That is a strong return on a $20,693 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Catawba College landed the #15 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,300. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,667. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $37,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,667 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Xavier University Of Louisiana came in at #16 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Xavier University Of Louisiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,979. Students borrow a median of $26,777 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Xavier University Of Louisiana earn a median of $46,854 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,777 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Our Lady Of Holy Cross College landed the #17 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Our Lady Of Holy Cross College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,576. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Our Lady Of Holy Cross College generally make around $42,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Wesleyan University placed #18 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,800. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $31,554 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $43,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Carson Newman College earned the #19 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $42,054 early in their careers. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Henderson State University placed #20 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Henderson State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,244, while out-of-state students pay about $10,620. Students borrow a median of $23,234 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Henderson State University generally make around $40,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson University landed the #21 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,122. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $22,913. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. Set against $22,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
Regent University landed the #22 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Regent University earn a median of $41,047 early in their careers. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Harding University came in at #23 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,629. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Thomas University earned the #24 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Thomasville, Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $28,454 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Thomas University earn a median of $39,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thomas University admits about 38% of applicants.
Milligan College placed #25 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,450. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,150 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s mental health counseling/counselor value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
