2027 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 43 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 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
Our analysis ranked Saint Marys University Of Minnesota the best value for a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $27,081. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $67,111. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri Southern State University earned it the #2 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $22,241. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $39,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Chadron State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $48,906. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Saint Cloud State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #5 spot 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. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $50,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #6 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,943. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $56,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Wichita State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,262. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #8 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $49,762. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $23,289 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $57,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,289 median debt. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Wayne State College earned the #10 position 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. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $35,028. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri University Of Science And Technology earned the #11 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,187 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $74,532. Set against $25,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri University Of Science And Technology admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #12 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $22,635. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #13 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,577. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $51,090. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies landed the #14 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,500. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Bellevue University landed the #15 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. That is a strong return on a $24,846 median debt.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #17 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $79,011. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Emporia State University came in at #19 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #20 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $79,622. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Capella University earned the #21 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $57,897. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Dakota placed #22 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $71,018. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #23 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $56,972. Set against $24,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $73,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Buena Vista University landed the #25 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $29,317. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $49,323. That is a strong return on a $29,317 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 43 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), 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
