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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

6 Colleges in the United States
$22,643 Avg Student Debt
$54,602 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for student counseling students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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

Best Value Student Counseling Schools

1

Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for student counseling in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $20,283. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $52,550. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

3

Montana State University Billings is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $48,789 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,465 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned it the #4 place for student counseling. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,559 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $49,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at The University Of Montana, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $41,773. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.

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6

University Of Northern Colorado landed the #6 spot for student counseling value this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,974 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $48,642. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.

7

Boise State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $44,140 early in their careers. Set against $24,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

8

Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #8 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $53,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

9

University Of Denver came in at #9 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $22,534. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 16 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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