2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Associate’s Degree Schools

1

Middlesex Community College Bedford
Bedford, MA

Middlesex Community College Bedford tops our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.

2

Northern Essex Community College
Haverhill, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Essex Community College earned it the #2 place for mental health counseling/counselor. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,200 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $27,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Highline Community College
Des Moines, WA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Highline Community College earned it the #3 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Highline Community College earn a median of $55,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #4. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $18,043. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $40,665 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,043 median debt.

5

Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #5 spot this year. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $34,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $19,185 in student loans. 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.

7

Rio Salado College
Tempe, AZ

Rio Salado College landed the #7 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Community College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Community College Of Denver placed #8 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. 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. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $13,541. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $45,202. That is a strong return on a $13,541 median debt.

9

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

Columbus State Community College earned the #9 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Chandler Gilbert Community College
Chandler, AZ

Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #10 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.

11

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.

12

Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD

Anne Arundel Community College placed #12 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, compared with $11,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $11,832. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.