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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

27 Colleges in the United States
$24,231 Avg Student Debt
$65,882 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 80 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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

1
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $59,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $13,303. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $45,604. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $69,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

4

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $41,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Jersey City University earned it the #5 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $55,457. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.

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6
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University placed #6 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $55,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.

7

Montclair State University placed #7 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $54,513. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8
Holy Family University crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University placed #8 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,562. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $59,355 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #9 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

10
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University placed #10 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $56,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt.

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11
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College placed #11 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

Suny College At Oswego came in at #12 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $53,106 early in their careers. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

13

William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,644. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $60,928. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

14

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,513. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $43,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

15

Suny College At Brockport ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $24,757. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.

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16

State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #16 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $41,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.

17
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University came in at #17 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,208. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

18

Pennsylvania Western University placed #18 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

19
Canisius College crest
Canisius College
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $42,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

20

Bowie State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,218, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $28,474. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $47,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.

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21

University At Buffalo ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $22,232. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

22

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,330. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $39,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

23

New York Institute Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,560. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $60,429. Set against $25,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

24
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University landed the #24 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $50,042. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

25

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #25 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,867. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $51,775 early in their careers. Set against $26,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

Rest of the Top 50 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:

26
Alfred University crest
Alfred University
Alfred, NY
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Manhattan College crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY
34
35
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA
36
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
37
Gwynedd Mercy College crest
Gwynedd Mercy College
Gwynedd Valley, PA
38
Saint Bonaventure University crest
Saint Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure, NY
39
40
41
42
Monmouth University crest
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ
43
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
44
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
45
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
46
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY
47
48
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
49
50
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

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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 · 80 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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