DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/education/student-counseling/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 16
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 13.11), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Educational Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Educational Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Child Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Child Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "School Psychology (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Child Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Child Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Child Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Child Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counselor Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Counselor Education (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 13
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 13 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 13
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 3 offers with relevance >= 1.0
2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in student counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Student Counseling Schools
Bridgewater State University tops our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,632. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,196. That is a strong return on a $26,632 median debt. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Boston earned it the #2 place for student counseling. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $60,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Salem State University one of the best values for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $51,929. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #4 place for student counseling. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $55,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
A rank of #5 makes Assumption College one of the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,356. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,194. Set against $26,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
ADBLOCK #101
Springfield College earned the #6 position for value in student counseling this year. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $49,996. That is a strong return on a $27,151 median debt. Springfield College admits about 72% of applicants.
Merrimack College landed the #7 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Set against $26,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.