2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Far Western Region
[Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counseling psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the counseling psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
California State University Long Beach earned the #1 spot for value among counseling psychology schools in the Far Western Region. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $15,671. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $81,000. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Washington University earned it the #3 place for counseling psychology. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $70,143. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Central Washington University one of the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,178. That is a strong return on a $21,988 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,838, compared with $20,798 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Hilo generally make around $48,141. Set against $22,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Touro University Worldwide landed the #6 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,640 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $32,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Touro University Worldwide generally make around $61,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Azusa Pacific University placed #7 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,458. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon landed the #8 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $22,034. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mount St Marys College earned the #9 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Mount St Marys College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,564. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $41,408. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
William Jessup University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. William Jessup University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rocklin. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,420 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $46,461. Set against $21,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest University placed #11 among the best values for counseling psychology. Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Kirkland. In-state tuition and fees average $36,035. Students borrow a median of $22,439 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Northwest University earn a median of $57,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,439 median debt. Northwest University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of The Pacific ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of The Pacific earn a median of $79,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Corban University earned the #13 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Salem, Corban University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,963 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,318 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $41,194. Set against $24,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Corban University admits about 94% of applicants.
California Baptist University came in at #14 for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $55,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Simpson University earned the #15 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Redding, Simpson University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,708. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,648 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Simpson University earn a median of $59,718 early in their careers. Set against $22,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Simpson University admits about 86% of applicants.
Hope International University landed the #16 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,125 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,656. Counseling Psychology graduates of Hope International University earn a median of $52,518 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Concordia University Irvine placed #17 among the best values for counseling psychology. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $43,480 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $42,331. That is a strong return on a $26,085 median debt. Concordia University Irvine admits about 66% of applicants.
Chaminade University Of Honolulu came in at #18 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,874 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,096. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $51,264. Set against $25,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chaminade University Of Honolulu admits about 91% of applicants.
George Fox University earned the #19 position for value in counseling psychology this year. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. In-state tuition and fees average $41,320. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $65,634. That is a strong return on a $25,324 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
National University earned the #20 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from National University generally make around $57,834. Set against $30,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Marys College Of California came in at #21 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,803 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,041. Counseling Psychology graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Set against $25,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Francisco earned the #22 position for value in counseling psychology this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $23,935. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $65,358. Set against $23,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University Of California landed the #23 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of San Rafael, Dominican University Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,161 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $27,000. Counseling Psychology graduates of Dominican University Of California earn a median of $34,509 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Santa Clara University came in at #24 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $20,144. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $65,541. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 41 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.
