2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in New York

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in mental health counseling/counselor, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,493. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #2. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $52,721 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $12,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $55,275. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

4

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 58%.

5

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

6

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $48,080. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

7

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $49,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

8

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury placed #8 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,652. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

9

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $28,304. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $56,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport landed the #10 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.

11

Suny College At Oswego
Oswego, NY

Suny College At Oswego earned the #11 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,163. 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.

12

Suny College At Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY

Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #12 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,217. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $38,328. Set against $24,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

13

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #13 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $50,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

14

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany came in at #14 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $53,103. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

15

Canisius College
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College earned the #15 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,673. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $52,015. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

16

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo came in at #16 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

17

Alfred University
Alfred, NY

Alfred University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,138 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,706. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Alfred University earn a median of $46,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

18

Long Island University C W Post Campus
Brookville, NY

Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #18 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,211. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $51,719. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

19

Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,052. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $20,285. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $48,131. Set against $20,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

20

Molloy College
Rockville Centre, NY

Molloy College came in at #20 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the suburb of Rockville Centre, Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,790 in tuition and fees. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $27,420 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $65,544 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

21

St Johns University New York
Queens, NY

St Johns University New York ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $59,299 early in their careers. Set against $25,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

22

Iona College
New Rochelle, NY

Iona College came in at #22 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Rochelle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,260. Students borrow a median of $25,745 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Iona College earn a median of $54,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,745 median debt. Iona College admits about 87% of applicants.

23

Saint John Fisher College
Rochester, NY

Saint John Fisher College came in at #23 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,190. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,086. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Saint John Fisher College generally make around $50,515. That is a strong return on a $25,086 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

24

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University earned the #24 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,487. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

25

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester placed #25 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $48,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.