2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

University Of Missouri St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Leading the list is University Of Missouri St Louis, our #1 best value for student counseling in the The Plains States Region. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $44,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

2

Chadron State College
Chadron, NE

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chadron State College earned it the #2 place for student counseling. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $57,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #3 place for student counseling. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

4

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $23,741. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $46,957. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

5

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,262. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $53,762. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

6

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Fort Hays State University landed the #6 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,967. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,939. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.

7

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University placed #7 among the best values for student counseling. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,473. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

8

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #8 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $22,635. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,566. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

9

Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University earned the #9 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $45,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.

10

Wayne State College
Wayne, NE

Wayne State College earned the #10 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $51,778. That is a strong return on a $22,974 median debt.

11

Emporia State University
Emporia, KS

Emporia State University came in at #11 for value in student counseling this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $23,131. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $57,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

12

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,153. Student Counseling graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $52,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

13

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University earned the #13 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

14

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #14 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $47,366. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #15 spot for student counseling value this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $48,510. That is a strong return on a $24,447 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

16

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield landed the #16 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,408. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $45,995. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

17

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $23,546. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $47,436. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

18

Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Students borrow a median of $29,317 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $49,397 early in their careers. Set against $29,317 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

19

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University landed the #19 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $69,183. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota earned the #20 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #21 among the best values for student counseling. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $21,818. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $63,559. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

22

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #22 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

23

Stephens College
Columbia, MO

Stephens College landed the #23 spot for student counseling value this year. Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $28,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,326 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Stephens College generally make around $41,511. That is a strong return on a $33,326 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

24

Concordia University Seward
Seward, NE

Concordia University Seward came in at #24 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,640. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,726 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Concordia University Seward generally make around $51,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

25

Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, MO

Missouri Baptist University earned the #25 position for value in student counseling this year. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,122. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,337 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $40,340. Set against $27,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.