2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Los Angeles the best value for a degree in student counseling in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $67,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #2 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus came in at #3 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

4

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,886. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $51,759. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

5

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

7

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield earned the #8 position for value in student counseling this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $57,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #10 spot for student counseling value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $59,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

11

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #11 for value in student counseling this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $17,024. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $73,361. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

12

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay came in at #12 for value in student counseling this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $71,142 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

13

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.

14

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $49,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

15

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $80,354. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.

16

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $48,263. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

17

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University placed #17 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,031. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $56,566. That is a strong return on a $18,031 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

18

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University earned the #18 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $16,417 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $52,062. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

19

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #19 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $19,273. Student Counseling graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $53,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.

20

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno earned the #20 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $55,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

21

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University landed the #21 spot for student counseling value this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

22

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University earned the #22 position for value in student counseling this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $55,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.

23

University Of Redlands
Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands came in at #23 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $60,878 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $27,175. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of $62,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

24

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University placed #24 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,188. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $69,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

25

Northwest Christian University
Eugene, OR

Northwest Christian University landed the #25 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,800. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $55,900. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.