2027 Best Value Counseling Psychology Master’s Degree Schools
[Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 216 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counseling psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in counseling psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for counseling psychology in the United States. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $81,000. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for counseling psychology. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar University earned it the #4 place for counseling psychology. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $61,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at University Of North Texas At Dallas, which ranked #5. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #6 for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $55,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Midwestern State University earned the #7 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $22,771. Counseling Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #9 for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $48,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #10 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $64,962. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University came in at #11 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $52,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University earned the #12 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $21,754. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $70,143. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $15,095. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $45,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Texas Womans University landed the #14 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $53,700. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Wayne State University landed the #15 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $58,918 early in their careers. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,530 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $57,354. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Louisiana State University Shreveport placed #17 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $28,907. Counseling Psychology graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Washington University landed the #18 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,610. Students borrow a median of $31,194 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $56,796. That is a strong return on a $31,194 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #19 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,925. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $48,357. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $49,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University landed the #21 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,129 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $34,928. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #22 for value in counseling psychology this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $52,767. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore landed the #23 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $29,681. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $56,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
Chadron State College placed #24 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $22,912. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
National Louis University came in at #25 for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $29,242. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $48,351. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for counseling psychology this year:
Other Counseling Psychology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value counseling psychology schools at other degree levels:
View All Counseling Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 216 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 216 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.
