2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in New York
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong student counseling education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for student counseling students.
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2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in student counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Student Counseling Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for student counseling in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $59,968. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $45,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for student counseling. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $13,213. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $69,652. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for student counseling. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $41,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercy College earned it the #5 place for student counseling. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego placed #6 among the best values for student counseling. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,163. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $53,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport placed #7 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #8 among the best values for student counseling. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $41,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Canisius College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,200. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $42,672 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Niagara University earned the #10 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,208. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $51,918. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University At Buffalo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Alfred University came in at #12 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,138. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,706 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $66,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
New York Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,435. Student Counseling graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,429 early in their careers. Set against $25,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The Sage Colleges came in at #14 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Troy, The Sage Colleges is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,164 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,702. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from The Sage Colleges generally make around $48,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #15 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $52,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
Touro College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Touro College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $20,052. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $20,285. Student Counseling graduates of Touro College earn a median of $60,520 early in their careers. Set against $20,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattan College placed #17 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,400 in tuition and fees. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Manhattan College generally make around $63,062. Set against $25,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
St Johns University New York earned the #18 position for value in student counseling this year. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $58,574. Set against $25,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Saint Bonaventure University earned the #19 position for value in student counseling this year. Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Bonaventure. In-state tuition and fees average $41,735. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,917. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $49,838. That is a strong return on a $25,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Rochester landed the #20 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,517 median debt. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
New York University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of New York University earn a median of $57,236 early in their careers. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Hofstra University landed the #22 spot for student counseling value this year. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $55,705. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Fordham University landed the #24 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $59,403. Set against $25,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
More Student Counseling Rankings
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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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
