2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Mental Health Counseling/Counselor](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/mental-health-counseling-counselor/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 72 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools.
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2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in mental health counseling/counselor in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,493. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $52,721 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $12,678. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $55,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #4 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $13,303. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $49,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $48,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College earned the #6 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. 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. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #7 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,818. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #8 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $47,652. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University earned the #10 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Mercy College landed the #11 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $28,304. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $56,693. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $48,643. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #13 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $39,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $51,339. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Anne Arundel Community College placed #15 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. In-state tuition and fees average $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,832 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Set against $11,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #16 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany landed the #17 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,521. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $53,103 early in their careers. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #18 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $43,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #19 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $50,304. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Suny College At Plattsburgh placed #20 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Students borrow a median of $24,217 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $38,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Canisius College placed #21 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,673. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $52,015 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Canisius College admits about 72% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Centenary College earned the #23 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hackettstown. In-state tuition and fees average $37,732. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,081. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $46,520. Set against $25,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University At Buffalo landed the #24 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #25 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $43,490. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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:
Narrow Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools by State
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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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
