by our College Data Analytics Team
[Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for counseling psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in counseling psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Governors State University, our #1 best value for counseling psychology in the Great Lakes Region. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,990. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $52,581. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana State University one of the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $48,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $39,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $58,918. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
National Louis University came in at #6 for value in counseling psychology this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $57,591 early in their careers. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Chicago State University landed the #7 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $27,075. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $64,930. That is a strong return on a $27,075 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $57,368. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #10 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,347. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #11 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $38,759 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $40,706. That is a strong return on a $38,759 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #12 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $21,813. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $55,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $28,781. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University earned the #14 position for value in counseling psychology this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $55,960. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #15 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $26,956. Counseling Psychology graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $51,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Valparaiso University landed the #16 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,450. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,724 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $47,384. Set against $26,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Trinity Christian College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $28,722. Counseling Psychology graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $41,998 early in their careers. Set against $28,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Spring Arbor University landed the #18 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,014 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,268 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $47,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,268 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Huntington University earned the #19 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,870. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Huntington University generally make around $42,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mary College landed the #20 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,420 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $26,372. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $47,456. Set against $26,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University came in at #21 for value in counseling psychology this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $59,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Cornerstone University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $38,622 early in their careers. Set against $29,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #23 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $44,776. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #24 for value in counseling psychology this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,029 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $47,693 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,029 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University landed the #25 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,740. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $51,068. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
These schools also delivered strong value for counseling psychology this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.