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

1

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

For return on investment in mental health counseling/counselor, no school beat Elgin Community College this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.

2

Sinclair Community College
Dayton, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,613 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $29,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,613 median debt.

3

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

A rank of #3 makes College Of Dupage one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $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.

4

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Columbus State Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $10,168. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN

Indiana University Southeast ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

7

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,146. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

8

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #8 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

9

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $17,600. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $50,825 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.

10

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University landed the #10 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,373. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

11

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #11 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $46,551. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

12

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $43,930. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

13

Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $51,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.

14

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #14 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $20,542. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

15

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

16

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $40,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

17

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

18

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University came in at #18 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

19

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #19 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $44,811. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $40,426. Set against $44,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,730. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

21

Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University earned the #21 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,778 in tuition and fees. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,790 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $41,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,790 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

22

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University came in at #22 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $38,831. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

23

Ursuline College
Pepper Pike, OH

Ursuline College placed #23 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $80,267. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

24

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University earned the #24 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

25

Grace College And Theological Seminary
Winona Lake, IN

Grace College And Theological Seminary earned the #25 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $46,139 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.