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

1

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

For return on investment in mental health counseling/counselor, no school beat New Mexico State University Main Campus this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,421. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $25,631. Set against $24,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

2

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

A rank of #2 makes Indiana State University one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $37,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

3

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,000. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $37,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

4

New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM

Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at New Mexico Highlands University, which ranked #4. New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of $34,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Sinte Gleska University
Mission, SD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinte Gleska University earned it the #5 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714. Median earnings reach $20,948 ten years out.

6

University Of Maine At Augusta
Augusta, ME

University Of Maine At Augusta placed #6 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $33,250. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Maine At Augusta earn a median of $39,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,250 median debt.

7

University Of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR

University Of Central Arkansas earned the #7 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $32,618. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.

8

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #8 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Students borrow a median of $44,811 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $40,426 early in their careers. Set against $44,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #9 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $27,269. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $46,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

10

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,000. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $40,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

11

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Students borrow a median of $39,560 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $37,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $53,508. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $46,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

13

Alvernia University
Reading, PA

Alvernia University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,000. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $54,779. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Alvernia University earn a median of $41,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $54,779 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

14

Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH

Southern New Hampshire University came in at #14 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $17,200. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $33,428 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Southern New Hampshire University generally make around $43,886. That is a strong return on a $33,428 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.