2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Far Western Region
[Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong counselor education/school counseling & guidance services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools.
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2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
For return on investment in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $14,430. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $67,075. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $14,813. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $46,807. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #4 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $51,759. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #6 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,671. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $58,659. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #7 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Fresno came in at #8 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $46,137. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $57,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #10 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $59,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
San Francisco State University earned the #11 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $73,361 early in their careers. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #12 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $71,142 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Jose State University landed the #13 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #14 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $49,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Fresno Pacific University came in at #15 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $80,354. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,475. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $48,263 early in their careers. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Sonoma State University placed #17 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $18,031. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $56,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University landed the #18 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $52,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Azusa Pacific University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $23,709. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #20 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $55,536 early in their careers. Set against $19,918 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University came in at #21 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $55,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Redlands came in at #22 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $62,205. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #23 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $69,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Seattle Pacific University admits about 83% of applicants.
Northwest Christian University earned the #24 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Eugene. In-state tuition and fees average $35,800. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Northwest Christian University generally make around $55,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Christian University admits about 67% of applicants.
California Lutheran University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. Students from in state pay about $52,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $22,727. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of $61,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Lutheran University admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
