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2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Michigan

6 Colleges in the United States
$26,981 Avg Student Debt
$56,672 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Badge [Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Michigan

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

1
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Our analysis ranked Oakland University the best value for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in Michigan. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $47,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Wayne State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,689. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $47,990. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

3
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #3 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $27,857. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $50,186. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes Eastern Michigan University one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $48,103. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

5

Grand Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $50,498 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

6

Western Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $47,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

7
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #7 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $52,282. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

View All Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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