2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Massachusetts
[Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 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 Massachusetts
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
Our analysis ranked Bridgewater State University the best value for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,632 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $54,196 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,632 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Boston earned it the #2 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 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 Massachusetts Boston generally make around $60,385. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Salem State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $27,176. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $51,929 early in their careers. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $55,652. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Assumption College, which ranked #5. Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,356. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Assumption College earn a median of $54,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Springfield College earned the #6 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $27,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Springfield College admits about 72% of applicants.
Merrimack College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
