College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Arizona

4 Colleges in the United States
$23,204 Avg Student Debt
$46,602 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Badge [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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental health counseling/counselor education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Arizona

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

1

Rio Salado College earned the #1 spot for value among mental health counseling/counselor schools in Arizona. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Chandler Gilbert Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #2 spot this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa Community College earned it the #3 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $13,750. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.

4

Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at University Of Phoenix Arizona, which ranked #4. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $35,323. 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.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Arizona University earned it the #5 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

University Of Arizona ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,000. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $43,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

7
Prescott College crest
Prescott College
Prescott, AZ

Prescott College earned the #7 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,490. Students borrow a median of $27,230 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Prescott College generally make around $42,966. That is a strong return on a $27,230 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

Grand Canyon University landed the #8 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $39,560. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,062. Set against $39,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.

View All Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Rankings >

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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options