by our College Data Analytics Team
[Mental Health Counseling/Counselor](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/mental-health-counseling-counselor/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for mental health counseling/counselor students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in mental health counseling/counselor, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania the best value for a degree in mental health counseling/counselor in Pennsylvania. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. 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, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $43,153. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Carlow University earned it the #4 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $46,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lancaster Bible College placed #6 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,990. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $28,507 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Lancaster Bible College earn a median of $35,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
Gannon University placed #7 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $50,084. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Waynesburg University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Waynesburg, Waynesburg University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,480. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Waynesburg University generally make around $55,588. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Alvernia University placed #9 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $54,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Alvernia University generally make around $41,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne placed #10 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,659. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $28,212. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne generally make around $40,120. Set against $28,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary placed #11 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $53,500 in tuition and fees. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $48,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #12 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,958. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $56,926. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Saint Josephs University earned the #13 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,426. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $65,421. Set against $26,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #14 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $43,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.