2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in North Carolina

1

North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University tops our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools in North Carolina. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,121. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

2

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Carolina University earned it the #2 place for mental health counseling/counselor. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,747. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $47,542. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

3

Catawba College
Salisbury, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Catawba College earned it the #3 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. Students borrow a median of $25,667 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $37,894 early in their careers. Set against $25,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Catawba College admits about 75% of applicants.

4

Lenoir Rhyne University
Hickory, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lenoir Rhyne University earned it the #4 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hickory. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,900. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,900. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of $42,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

5

Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Gardner Webb University, which ranked #5. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $34,750. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $47,147. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

6

Montreat College
Montreat, NC

Montreat College landed the #6 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Montreat College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Montreat. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,450. Students borrow a median of $24,168 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Montreat College generally make around $29,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montreat College admits about 69% of applicants.