2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 148 schools to find the best return on investment for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for clinical, counseling & applied psychology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $11,691. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $65,155 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #2 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $12,157. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $68,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $60,816 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $13,421. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $42,009. Set against $13,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny City College landed the #6 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Farmingdale State College earned the #7 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $20,175. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $28,904 early in their careers. Set against $20,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #8 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Kean University earn a median of $54,319 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University placed #9 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $58,765. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College came in at #11 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Montclair State University landed the #12 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,286. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $50,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Towson University placed #13 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Holy Family University placed #14 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,562 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $50,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
Saint Peters College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Monroe College Main Campus came in at #17 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,464. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,701 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $40,329. Set against $20,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Mercy College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $69,598. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #19 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,770. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $73,914. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Washington University landed the #20 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $56,796. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Saint Josephs College New York placed #21 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $49,214. That is a strong return on a $25,485 median debt. Saint Josephs College New York admits about 72% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $26,513. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $68,244. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton landed the #23 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,742, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $36,254. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Canton admits about 92% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #24 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Goldey Beacom College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Wilmington, Goldey Beacom College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,940. Students borrow a median of $20,743 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Goldey Beacom College earn a median of $57,634 early in their careers. Set against $20,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 148 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
