2027 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Texas
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 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 Texas
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
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for mental health counseling/counselor in Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,160. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $49,328 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #2 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $19,185. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. Set against $19,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Victoria earned it the #3 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #4 makes Lamar University one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,988. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,271 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #5 place 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. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,785. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #6 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $62,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #8 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #10 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,508. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,130. Set against $25,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #11 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $21,100. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $49,971 early in their careers. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio came in at #12 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $32,106 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,759 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earn a median of $49,489 early in their careers. Set against $26,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Tech University placed #13 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #14 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value 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. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,628. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,628 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,430. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $34,087. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
St Marys University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,434. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from St Marys University generally make around $41,496. Set against $25,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Saint Edwards University earned the #17 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,384. Students borrow a median of $25,059 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $39,898. Set against $25,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earned the #18 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,300. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,782 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $47,322 early in their careers. Set against $26,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Letourneau University landed the #19 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Longview. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,160. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $32,086 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Letourneau University earn a median of $53,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,086 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University earned the #20 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $42,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
