2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in student counseling in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $11,091. Student Counseling graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $59,968 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #2 place for student counseling. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

3

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,525. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

4

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for student counseling. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $14,430. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $67,075. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

5

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $46,137. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

6

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #6 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $45,604 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

7

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #7 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

8

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,807. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

9

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $57,751. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

10

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield placed #10 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

11

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $41,465. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

12

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College came in at #12 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $69,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #13 for value in student counseling this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $48,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

14

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #14 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $51,759. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

15

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University earned the #15 position for value in student counseling this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $54,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.

16

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #16 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $59,543. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

17

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $57,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

18

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

19

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #19 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $20,212. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $53,838. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

20

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #20 for value in student counseling this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

21

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay earned the #21 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,073. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $71,142. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

22

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #22 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $60,249 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

23

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #23 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $45,569 early in their careers. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

24

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #24 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $73,361. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $21,829. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,334. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.