2027 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in Kentucky
[Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools.
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2027 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in Kentucky
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
Leading the list is Northern Kentucky University, our #1 best value for clinical, counseling & applied psychology in Kentucky. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,572. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $57,094. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Murray State University one of the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $43,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of The Cumberlands earned it the #5 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $44,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Lindsey Wilson College earned the #6 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $27,808 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $42,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt.
University Of Kentucky earned the #7 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $72,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University landed the #8 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,998. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $37,657 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
Kentucky Christian University earned the #9 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Kentucky Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grayson. In-state tuition and fees average $26,300. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Kentucky Christian University generally make around $71,465. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Spalding University landed the #10 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,000. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $29,862. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Spalding University earn a median of $70,760 early in their careers. Set against $29,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
