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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for counseling psychology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the counseling psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Bob Jones University the best value for a degree in counseling psychology in South Carolina. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $20,497. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $40,538. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Columbia International University one of the best values for counseling psychology. Columbia International University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $27,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $21,667. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Columbia International University generally make around $32,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia International University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Charleston Southern University one of the best values for counseling psychology. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $32,520 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $27,569. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $46,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.