2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 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 Southeast Region
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
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $35,991. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Marshall University, which ranked #3. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $48,028. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Florida 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 Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $45,840 early in their careers. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Arkansas State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $48,847. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Albany Technical College placed #6 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,572. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Alabama earned the #9 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $53,270. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,373. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,373 median debt. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #11 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Southern Wesleyan University placed #12 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,800. Students borrow a median of $31,554 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Southern Wesleyan University generally make around $43,539. Set against $31,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Wesleyan University admits about 100% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $31,173. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $50,121. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Central Arkansas placed #14 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $38,566 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #15 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $46,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Catawba College placed #16 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $16,576. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $43,500 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $42,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Gardner Webb University placed #18 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,033. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $47,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Stetson University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,410. Students borrow a median of $25,382 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $38,619. That is a strong return on a $25,382 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Regent University landed the #20 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $29,451. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $41,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Carson Newman College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $22,843. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $42,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carson Newman College admits about 90% of applicants.
John Brown University came in at #22 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Siloam Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $31,756. Students borrow a median of $25,216 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $46,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas University placed #23 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the town of Thomasville, Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $28,454. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $39,302. That is a strong return on a $28,454 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Lenoir Rhyne University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,900. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $42,066. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. Lenoir Rhyne University admits about 85% of applicants.
Milligan College landed the #25 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,150 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $64,327. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 49 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
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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
