2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #1 spot for value among student counseling schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $50,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

2

Indiana University South Bend
South Bend, IN

Indiana University South Bend is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

3

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #3. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $42,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

4

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Northeastern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $68,449 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

6

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,582. Student Counseling graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $45,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

7

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #7 spot for student counseling value this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $55,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.

8

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #8 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $49,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

9

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #9 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $47,622. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

10

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in student counseling this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $45,390. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Wisconsin Superior
Superior, WI

University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #11 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $27,845. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $50,655. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

12

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #12 among the best values for student counseling. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $49,958. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

13

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #14 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $42,105. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

15

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University landed the #15 spot for student counseling value this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $47,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

16

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University landed the #16 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,331. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

17

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University landed the #17 spot for student counseling value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $27,857. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $50,186. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

18

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $43,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

19

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago earned the #19 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $74,696. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

20

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University landed the #20 spot for student counseling value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $47,850. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

21

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #21 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $32,807. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $53,752. That is a strong return on a $32,807 median debt.

22

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University placed #22 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

23

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University came in at #23 for value in student counseling this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $48,103. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

24

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $56,337 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.

25

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University earned the #25 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $47,120. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.