2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Leading the list is Texas A And M International University, our #1 best value for student counseling in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $54,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.

2

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,660. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $57,536. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

3

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #3 place for student counseling. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $57,345 early in their careers. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $27,425. Student Counseling graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Clear Lake earned it the #5 place for student counseling. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $51,442. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

7

Sul Ross State University
Alpine, TX

Sul Ross State University came in at #7 for value in student counseling this year. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. Students from in state pay about $7,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,951. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Sul Ross State University generally make around $44,296. Set against $18,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

8

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #8 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $45,667. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.

9

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University earned the #10 position for value in student counseling this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $57,529. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

11

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $43,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

12

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $48,567 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

13

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University placed #13 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $50,832. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM

New Mexico Highlands University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,900. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,494. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.

15

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,685. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

16

Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #16 for value in student counseling this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,759. Student Counseling graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.

17

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University placed #17 among the best values for student counseling. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,850. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,365. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

18

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $19,738. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $49,015. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

19

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma placed #19 among the best values for student counseling. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $51,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

20

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University placed #20 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $43,346 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

21

University Of The Southwest
Hobbs, NM

University Of The Southwest earned the #21 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,670 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of The Southwest earn a median of $54,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt.

22

Texas Southern University
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University placed #22 among the best values for student counseling. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. Students borrow a median of $35,330 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $41,890 early in their careers. Set against $35,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

23

North American University
Stafford, TX

North American University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Stafford, North American University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,436.

24

West Texas A And M University
Canyon, TX

West Texas A And M University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.

25

Prescott College
Prescott, AZ

Prescott College came in at #25 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,490. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $27,230. Student Counseling graduates of Prescott College earn a median of $42,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.