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

1

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

For return on investment in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, no school beat Valdosta State University this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $67,508. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

2

Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley, GA

Fort Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Fort Valley, Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,878. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $35,963. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Fort Valley State University generally make around $32,127. Set against $35,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $63,139 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

4

Columbus State University
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services, landing the #4 spot this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $28,493. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $38,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,493 median debt. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.

5

Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at Augusta University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $25,745 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $44,303. That is a strong return on a $25,745 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

6

Albany State University
Albany, GA

Albany State University earned the #6 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Albany State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,656, compared with $17,008 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $28,158. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Albany State University generally make around $47,466. That is a strong return on a $28,158 median debt.

7

University Of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA

University Of West Georgia placed #7 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $26,789. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $45,505 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

8

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University placed #8 among the best values for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $45,819 early in their careers. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

9

Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University landed the #9 spot for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services value this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $43,866. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.

10

Mercer University
Macon, GA

Mercer University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $32,463. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $52,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.