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2023 Best Value Colleges for Counseling Psychology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

17 Ranked Colleges
670 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 9,463 people earned their degree in counseling psychology, making the major the 90th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 670 counseling psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 17 colleges that offered a degree in counseling psychology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great counseling psychology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the counseling psychology program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Counseling Psychology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

1
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Dakota. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UND did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,394 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UND.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Counseling Psychology at UND

2
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 10 ’s counseling psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $13,554 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Counseling Psychology at Iowa

3
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University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Kansas landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $15,666 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Counseling Psychology at KU

4
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Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wayne State College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. WSC is located in Wayne, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s counseling psychology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, WSC has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wayne State College is $10,608 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Counseling Psychology at Wayne State College

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Kansas City. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UMKC is located in Kansas City, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s counseling psychology degrees to qualified students.

UMKC also took the #8 spot in our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $12,724 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Counseling Psychology at University of Missouri - Kansas City

6

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s counseling psychology degrees to 136 students in 2020-2021.

SMU MN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is $15,801 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Counseling Psychology at SMU MN

7
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University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of South Dakota is a medium-sized school located in Vermillion, South Dakota that handed out 31 ’s counseling psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

USD also made our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend USD is $15,495 for Plains States Region Counseling Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full USD Counseling Psychology Report

8
Avila crest
Avila University
Kansas City, Missouri

Avila University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This small school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 21 ’s counseling psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

Avila not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Avila University is $15,642 for Plains States Region Counseling Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Counseling Psychology at Avila

9
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University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCM is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCM, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,006 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCM.

Read more about Counseling Psychology at UCM

10
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Brookings, South Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s counseling psychology degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State also made our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $14,171 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Counseling Psychology at South Dakota State University

11
Webster crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Webster University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 114 ’s counseling psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Webster has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Webster University is $18,047 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Counseling Psychology at Webster University

12
BVU crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

With a ranking of #12, Buena Vista University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Storm Lake, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

BVU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Buena Vista University is $13,483 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Counseling Psychology at BVU

13
Bethel University Minnesota crest
Bethel University Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Bethel University Minnesota ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 3 ’s counseling psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

Bethel University Minnesota did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Bethel University Minnesota is $21,313 for Plains States Region Counseling Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Counseling Psychology at Bethel University Minnesota

14

University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. University of St Thomas Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s counseling psychology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UST MN, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UST MN is $32,436 for Plains States Region Counseling Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Counseling Psychology at UST MN

15

MidAmerica Nazarene University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. MNU is located in Olathe, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s counseling psychology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MNU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MNU is $28,997 for plains states region counseling psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Counseling Psychology at MidAmerica Nazarene University

16
Doane Crete crest
Doane University
Crete, Nebraska

Doane University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Doane Crete is a private not-for-profit institution located in Crete, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Doane Crete, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Doane University is $20,088 for Plains States Region Counseling Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Doane University Counseling Psychology Report

17

Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CMU CGES is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fayette, Missouri. It awarded 12 ’s counseling psychology degrees in 2020-2021.

CMU CGES also made our “Best Counseling Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for CMU CGES is $10,456 for Plains States Region Counseling Psychology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Central Methodist University - College of Graduate & Extended Studies Counseling Psychology Report

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