2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the The Plains States 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.
College Factual analyzed 84 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools.
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2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the The Plains States 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
Missouri Southern State University tops our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools in the The Plains States Region. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $22,241. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $39,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $56,723. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at Minot State University, which ranked #4. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,788. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $50,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned it the #5 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. Students borrow a median of $25,187 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $74,532. That is a strong return on a $25,187 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University landed the #6 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #7 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,948. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $50,147. Set against $24,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Chadron State College came in at #8 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. Set against $22,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #9 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $46,054. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $23,289. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $57,595. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College came in at #11 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $35,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #12 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $51,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #13 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $49,762 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Kansas came in at #14 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $79,622. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Emporia State University landed the #15 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $42,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #16 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #17 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $22,386. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $79,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #18 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,033. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $36,918 early in their careers. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #19 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,447 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $56,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Avila University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $40,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $29,750. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Avila University earn a median of $56,895 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
South Dakota State University came in at #21 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $45,975 early in their careers. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #22 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $73,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #23 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,818. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University came in at #24 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $35,998. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Capella University earn a median of $57,897 early in their careers. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Buena Vista University landed the #25 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,798. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $49,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,317 median debt. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 43 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), 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
