2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
[Mental Health Counseling/Counselor](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/mental-health-counseling-counselor/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong mental health counseling/counselor education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 330 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental health counseling/counselor students.
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Finding the Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor School for You
The right mental health counseling/counselor school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mental health counseling/counselor, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,493. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #2. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $52,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $55,275 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Elgin Community College earned it the #4 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $49,619. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Florida landed the #6 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $35,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #7 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $48,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College landed the #8 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $48,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny City College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $53,154 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #10 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $49,328 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Highline Community College came in at #11 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $8,958 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $55,459. Set against $8,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #12 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $49,818. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Northern Essex Community College earned the #13 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $12,033. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $27,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Skagit Valley College came in at #15 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #16 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,185 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Olympic College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, compared with $9,740 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College earned the #18 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $9,041. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Parkland College landed the #19 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #20 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College earned the #21 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $13,613. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $29,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Florida landed the #22 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $45,840. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Marshall University earned the #23 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $48,028. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #24 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,081. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Community College Of Denver landed the #25 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Students borrow a median of $13,541 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $45,202. That is a strong return on a $13,541 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mental health counseling/counselor:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Mental Health Counseling/Counselor. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 330 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 153 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.
