2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Kentucky
[Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services](/majors/education/student-counseling/counselor-education-school-counseling-and-guidance-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services students.
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2026 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in Kentucky
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
Murray State University earned the #1 spot for value among counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools in Kentucky. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counselor education/school counseling & guidance services degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,122. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $42,618. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates is $25,896. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $48,352. That is a strong return on a $25,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #4 place for counselor education/school counseling & guidance services. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services will find it at University Of The Cumberlands, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $50,309. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Lindsey Wilson College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,808. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Early-career counselor education/school counseling & guidance services graduates make about $37,808. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Louisville ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value counselor education/school counseling & guidance services schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $46,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,910 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University earned the #8 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. Students borrow a median of $24,148 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $43,474 early in their careers. Set against $24,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Spalding University earned the #9 position for value in counselor education/school counseling & guidance services this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,000. Students borrow a median of $29,862 to complete the counselor education/school counseling & guidance services program here. Counselor Education/school Counseling & Guidance Services graduates of Spalding University earn a median of $56,331 early in their careers. Set against $29,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Spalding University admits about 99% of applicants.
More Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Rankings
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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 · 10 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.
