2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 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 the Southwest 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
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among mental health counseling/counselor schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $49,328. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #2. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $19,185 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $31,821. That is a strong return on a $19,185 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Lamar University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rio Salado College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $13,679. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,421. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $36,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #7 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $44,785. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #8 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $49,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas Womans University came in at #9 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $62,324. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Mesa Community College came in at #10 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #11 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #12 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $21,752. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #13 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $10,447. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
Northern Arizona University earned the #14 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $21,645. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #15 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $58,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.
New Mexico Highlands University earned the #16 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $7,416 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of $42,702 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #17 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $62,449. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $44,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #19 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,508. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $47,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,971. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona landed the #21 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $43,177. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio placed #22 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of San Antonio, Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,106. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Tech University placed #23 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,271. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #24 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $58,265. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Southwest ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,670. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,162. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 33 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), 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
