by our College Data Analytics Team
[Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value counseling psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in counseling psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in counseling psychology, no school beat University Of North Texas At Dallas this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at Lamar University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $61,726 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at University Of Houston Victoria, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $48,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Students borrow a median of $22,771 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $45,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $15,095. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $45,177. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Midwestern State University placed #6 among the best values for counseling psychology. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $26,415. Counseling Psychology graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University landed the #7 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $53,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $77,167. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $52,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Texarkana earned the #10 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. In-state tuition and fees average $8,349, compared with $24,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,270 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Texarkana generally make around $44,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of North Texas landed the #11 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,583 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $58,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #12 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,824 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $51,831 early in their careers. Set against $29,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University came in at #13 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $44,512. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Angelo State University placed #14 among the best values for counseling psychology. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $21,237. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $45,229. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $53,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $32,106 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Tech University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $69,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #19 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $20,031. Counseling Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $67,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Tarleton State University earned the #20 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $43,238. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Wayland Baptist University earned the #21 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,782. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $30,204. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $43,453. That is a strong return on a $30,204 median debt. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earned the #22 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,064. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $28,248. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $38,169. That is a strong return on a $28,248 median debt. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Wesleyan University came in at #23 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,582. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,461 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Texas Wesleyan University generally make around $47,055. That is a strong return on a $26,461 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Abilene Christian University landed the #24 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,200. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $52,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Dallas Baptist University earned the #25 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,190. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $40,685 early in their careers. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.