by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
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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.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #1 spot for value among counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Holy Family University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. 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. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $43,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $26,330 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,867. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $51,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,307 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $49,144 early in their careers. Set against $26,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
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Eastern University placed #8 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $50,474. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Gwynedd Mercy College landed the #9 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Gwynedd Mercy College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gwynedd Valley. Students from in state pay about $40,838 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $29,764. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $53,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lehigh University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $23,008. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $44,468. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Duquesne University earned the #12 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,297. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $50,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,297 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University landed the #13 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,184. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $49,796. That is a strong return on a $26,184 median debt. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.