2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Missouri
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for student counseling students.
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2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Missouri
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the student counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Student Counseling Schools
For return on investment in student counseling, no school beat University Of Missouri St Louis this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,943. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $44,437. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #2 place for student counseling. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $46,957. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Southeast Missouri State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $23,289. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $45,743. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $45,995 early in their careers. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #6 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $63,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Stephens College came in at #7 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,300. Students borrow a median of $33,326 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $41,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University earned the #8 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,122. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $40,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
