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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Georgia

8 Colleges in the United States
$28,065 Avg Student Debt
$49,700 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.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value student counseling schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Georgia

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

Best Value Student Counseling Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Valdosta State University the best value for a degree in student counseling in Georgia. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $67,508. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Valley State University earned it the #2 place for student counseling. Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fort Valley. Students from in state pay about $5,526 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,878 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $35,963 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Fort Valley State University earn a median of $32,127 early in their careers. Set against $35,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Valley State University admits about 66% of applicants.

3

University Of Georgia came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $63,139. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

4

Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Columbus State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,898, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $28,493. Student Counseling graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $38,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

5
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,745. Student Counseling graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $44,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Albany State University landed the #6 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,656, with out-of-state students paying around $17,008. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $28,158 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Albany State University generally make around $47,466. Set against $28,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of West Georgia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $45,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.

8

Georgia State University placed #8 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $45,819. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

9

Georgia Southern University came in at #9 for value in student counseling this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $43,866. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

10

Mercer University came in at #10 for value in student counseling this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $52,203 early in their careers. Set against $32,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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