2027 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Southeast 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 86 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students.
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2027 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Southeast 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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $17,669. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $65,597. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,620. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $55,976 early in their careers. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #5 makes Marshall University one of the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,250. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $65,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University placed #6 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $25,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #7 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,572. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $57,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Florida State University earned the #8 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Murray State University earned the #9 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $23,420. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport placed #10 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $45,300. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,530. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $57,354. Set against $24,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University came in at #12 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $35,448 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $27,532. That is a strong return on a $35,448 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #13 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,792. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $67,580. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #14 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #15 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,122. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Aiken came in at #16 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Aiken. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Students borrow a median of $27,011 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $42,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Memphis earned the #17 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $26,315. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $85,214. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #18 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $43,802. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Savannah State University earned the #19 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,576 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $34,489. Set against $31,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #20 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Students borrow a median of $23,324 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Mary Baldwin College placed #21 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $60,386. Set against $29,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vanderbilt University placed #22 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #23 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $49,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama earned the #24 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,291. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $36,598. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Francis Marion University placed #25 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,170, while out-of-state students pay about $21,544. Students borrow a median of $30,577 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Francis Marion University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year:
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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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 86 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.