2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 best value for mental health counseling/counselor in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $61,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Sinte Gleska University, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,714 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $20,948.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earned it the #3 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,054. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,305. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies earn a median of $33,880 early in their careers. Set against $26,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Emporia State University, which ranked #4. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,131. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $48,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Bethany Lutheran College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Bethany Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,360. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,462. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Bethany Lutheran College admits about 39% of applicants.
Winona State University earned the #6 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,551. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Capella University placed #7 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $47,787. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lindenwood University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $43,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary earned the #9 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,983. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,983 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $27,269 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $46,691. That is a strong return on a $27,269 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Loras College earned the #11 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,824. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,528. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $43,117. Set against $26,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa came in at #12 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $57,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Grand View University landed the #13 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $45,180. Set against $26,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University earned the #14 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,122. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $27,337 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $45,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,337 median debt. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
Bellevue University came in at #15 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $27,852. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[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.
