2026 Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools in the Far Western Region
[Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/marriage-and-family-therapy-counseling/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for marriage and family therapy/counseling students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the marriage and family therapy/counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Dominguez Hills the best value for a degree in marriage and family therapy/counseling in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marriage and family therapy/counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #3 place for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $50,039. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego State University earned it the #4 place for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Students looking for strong value in marriage and family therapy/counseling will find it at Fresno Pacific University, which ranked #5. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $24,596. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $40,622. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
Touro University Worldwide came in at #6 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Los Alamitos. In-state tuition and fees average $14,640. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $32,289. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Touro University Worldwide generally make around $53,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pacific Lutheran University earned the #7 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $23,667. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $53,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Oregon placed #8 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $22,034. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $49,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Saint Martins University earned the #9 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the city of Lacey, Saint Martins University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,510. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $22,818. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Saint Martins University generally make around $60,864. That is a strong return on a $22,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Seattle Pacific University landed the #10 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $44,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
California Lutheran University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,727 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $50,691. Set against $22,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of La Verne came in at #12 for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Located in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,470. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Whitworth University landed the #13 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,880. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $34,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Whitworth University admits about 90% of applicants.
Biola University earned the #14 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,984 in tuition and fees. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of Biola University earn a median of $45,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of San Diego landed the #15 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $57,169. That is a strong return on a $23,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
George Fox University placed #16 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,320. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,324 in student loans. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $46,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System placed #17 among the best values for marriage and family therapy/counseling. Located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,540. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $27,471. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System generally make around $65,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern California landed the #18 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $61,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Seattle University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $63,214. Set against $22,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
City University Of Seattle earned the #20 position for value in marriage and family therapy/counseling this year. Set in the city of Seattle, City University Of Seattle is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,929. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from City University Of Seattle generally make around $76,698. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Lewis And Clark College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Located in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,828 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $23,301. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $52,558. Set against $23,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.
Gonzaga University landed the #22 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Marriage And Family Therapy/counseling graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marriage and family therapy/counseling degree recipients from Gonzaga University generally make around $58,733. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola Marymount University landed the #23 spot for marriage and family therapy/counseling value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,867 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates is $22,248. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $55,470. That is a strong return on a $22,248 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Chapman University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value marriage and family therapy/counseling schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,984. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete the marriage and family therapy/counseling program here. Early-career marriage and family therapy/counseling graduates make about $59,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
