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

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong counselor education/school counseling & guidance services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools.
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2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Connecticut
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
Leading the list is Central Connecticut State University, our #1 best value for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in Connecticut. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. 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. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Western Connecticut State University one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,401 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Students borrow a median of $25,332 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $50,635. Set against $25,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Bridgeport came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,760. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Bridgeport earn a median of $52,549 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Fairfield University one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,400. Students borrow a median of $26,687 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. 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. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.