2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Alabama
[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.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Alabama
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
Our analysis ranked University Of West Alabama the best value for a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services in Alabama. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $31,894. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $62,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #2 makes Auburn University At Montgomery one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,700, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $29,746 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $44,249. Set against $29,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Auburn University At Montgomery admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Jacksonville State University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Jacksonville State University generally make around $58,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at University Of South Alabama, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. 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 University Of South Alabama earn a median of $41,205 early in their careers. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Montevallo one of the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,948, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,096 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $41,035. That is a strong return on a $25,096 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #6 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $47,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University came in at #7 for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $22,803. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $46,449 early in their careers. Set against $22,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
More Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Rankings
View All Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
