2026 Best Value Genetic Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Genetic Counseling/Counselor](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/genetic-counseling-counselor/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value genetic counseling/counselor schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Genetic Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the genetic counseling/counselor degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Genetic Counseling/Counselor Schools
Wayne State University earned the #1 spot for value among genetic counseling/counselor schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for genetic counseling/counselor graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, genetic counseling/counselor degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $69,328. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for genetic counseling/counselor. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Genetic Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Genetic Counseling/counselor graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $78,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Northwestern University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in genetic counseling/counselor, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for genetic counseling/counselor graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, genetic counseling/counselor degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $67,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value genetic counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the genetic counseling/counselor program here. Early-career genetic counseling/counselor graduates make about $74,459. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
Narrow Genetic Counseling/Counselor Schools by State
More Genetic Counseling/Counselor Rankings
View All Genetic Counseling/Counselor Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.