2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Southeast Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 124 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Southeast Region
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.
Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $48,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $53,838. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $54,334 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida International 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 suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $46,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $21,620. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $45,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $60,249. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Marshall University earned the #7 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $47,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Murray State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #9 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
American Public University System earned the #10 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $23,438. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $57,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #11 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $45,525. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #12 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #13 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $42,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #14 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 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 North Florida generally make around $51,862. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #15 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $15,117. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,566. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $24,977. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $47,800. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Valdosta State University earned the #17 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $28,661. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $67,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $49,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #19 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $22,754. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $46,032. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #20 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Morehead State University came in at #21 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,896. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $48,352. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #22 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $29,078. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $47,460. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Georgia placed #23 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 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 Georgia generally make around $63,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
West Virginia University placed #24 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $50,543. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Western Carolina University earned the #25 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,174 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $40,079. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 124 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
