2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in California

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 California. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. 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.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #3 place for student counseling. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,886. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $51,759. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

4

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #4. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $14,813. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,807. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

5

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino placed #6 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #7 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $46,137. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

8

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, 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. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #9 among the best values for student counseling. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $16,202. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $57,751. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #10 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $17,492. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $59,543. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

11

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $71,142. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

12

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #12 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $73,361. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

13

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #13 spot for student counseling value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.

14

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $80,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

15

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,031. Student Counseling graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $56,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,031 median debt. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.

16

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #16 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $16,417. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $52,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

17

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $53,058. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

18

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. 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. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $23,709. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Redlands
Redlands, CA

University Of Redlands earned the #19 position 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. Set against $27,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.

20

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. In-state tuition and fees average $52,560. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $22,727. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $61,749. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

21

La Sierra University
Riverside, CA

La Sierra University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Riverside, La Sierra University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,710. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $29,507. Student Counseling graduates of La Sierra University earn a median of $51,670 early in their careers. Set against $29,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of La Verne
La Verne, CA

University Of La Verne came in at #22 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,470 in tuition and fees. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,314 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $35,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of La Verne admits about 71% of applicants.

23

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University came in at #23 for value in student counseling this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $28,169. Student Counseling graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $47,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

24

Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine came in at #24 for value in student counseling this year. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $43,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $68,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

25

National University
San Diego, CA

National University came in at #25 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of National University earn a median of $64,585 early in their careers. Set against $30,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.