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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Michigan

6 Colleges in the United States
$26,981 Avg Student Debt
$56,672 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Student Counseling Badge [Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 student counseling students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Michigan

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in student counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Student Counseling Schools

1
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Leading the list is Oakland University, our #1 best value for student counseling in Michigan. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $47,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for student counseling. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $47,990. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

3
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #3 place for student counseling. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

4

Eastern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $28,781. Student Counseling graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $48,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Grand Valley State University, which ranked #5. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,378 in student loans. 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.

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6

Western Michigan University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $47,120. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

7
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #7 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $52,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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