2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the New England Region
[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 31 schools to find the best return on investment for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
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2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the New England 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 University Of Southern Maine this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $23,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $53,891. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Central Connecticut State University, which ranked #2. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $24,340. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $60,151 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Bridgewater State University one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,632. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $54,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $60,385 early in their careers. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Salem State University, which ranked #5. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $51,929. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Western Connecticut State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,332. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $50,635 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,332 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Husson University earned the #7 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,304 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $27,735. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $52,868. That is a strong return on a $27,735 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Vermont ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $51,773. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #9 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $55,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Bridgeport landed the #10 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Set in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,760. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $52,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Assumption College came in at #11 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $51,356. Students borrow a median of $26,995 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Assumption College generally make around $54,194. Set against $26,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Assumption College admits about 83% of applicants.
Rivier College placed #12 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Nashua, Rivier College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,488 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $28,917. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,537. Set against $28,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rivier College admits about 83% of applicants.
Springfield College landed the #13 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $49,996. That is a strong return on a $27,151 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Merrimack College came in at #14 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $50,506. Set against $26,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Providence College earned the #15 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,550. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,833. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $53,813. Set against $26,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
Fairfield University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,400. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,687. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $62,451 early in their careers. Set against $26,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
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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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
