2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-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 112 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
For return on investment in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $20,115. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $61,829. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #2 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. 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. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $52,581. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned it the #5 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $42,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #6 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,925. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $48,357 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied 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.
Youngstown State University placed #8 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $26,373. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $50,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Purdue University Global came in at #9 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $42,443. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $39,572. Set against $42,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #10 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Chicago State University placed #11 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $47,477. That is a strong return on a $43,322 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $47,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #13 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $58,918. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #14 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,293. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $55,825. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #15 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $69,444. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #16 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $61,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,551 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Huntington University earned the #17 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,870. Students borrow a median of $28,332 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $42,992. Set against $28,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #18 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $54,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $67,124. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Central Michigan University placed #20 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,857 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University came in at #21 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $64,930. Set against $27,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #22 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $29,053. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $54,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,347. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $68,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #24 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $55,617. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University came in at #25 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,245. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $57,591. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s clinical, counseling & applied psychology value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
