2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in California
[Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong counselor education/school counseling & guidance services education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
Leading the list is California State University Los Angeles, our #1 best value for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in California. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $67,075 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $51,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $46,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at California State University Bakersfield, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #6 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $46,137 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% 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. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $57,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. 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. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $17,492. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $59,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $71,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
San Francisco State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $17,024. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $73,361. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Fresno Pacific University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $24,596. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $80,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Sonoma State University earned the #15 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. 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. Set against $18,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #16 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. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. 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. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Azusa Pacific University landed the #17 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $23,709. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Redlands earned the #18 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Redlands. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,878. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $62,205. Set against $27,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.
California Lutheran University earned the #19 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,560. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $22,727. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from California Lutheran University generally make around $61,749. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
La Sierra University came in at #20 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. La Sierra University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,710. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $29,507. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $51,670. That is a strong return on a $29,507 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of La Verne ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Set against $26,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of La Verne admits about 71% of applicants.
California Baptist University came in at #22 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $28,169 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $47,801. Set against $28,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
Concordia University Irvine ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,480. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $68,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
National University landed the #24 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $30,426. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of National University earn a median of $64,585 early in their careers. Set against $30,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System came in at #25 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $27,471. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System generally make around $68,207. That is a strong return on a $27,471 median debt.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value ranking:
More Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Rankings
View All Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
