2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Maryland

1

Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD

Anne Arundel Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools in Maryland. 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. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,832 median debt.

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #2. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $13,426. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

3

Bowie State University
Bowie, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bowie State University earned it the #3 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Students borrow a median of $28,474 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $58,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.

4

Hood College
Frederick, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hood College earned it the #4 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Frederick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,700. Students borrow a median of $24,703 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Hood College earn a median of $56,107 early in their careers. Set against $24,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.