2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in the Southwest Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 44 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 Southwest 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
For return on investment in mental health counseling/counselor, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,328. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #2 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $19,185 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $31,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $24,421 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $36,563. That is a strong return on a $24,421 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rio Salado College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #5 spot this year. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University came in at #6 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $62,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #7 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $19,819. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $49,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #8 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $44,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #10 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $21,100. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lamar University earned the #11 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College landed the #13 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #14 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $58,837. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.
New Mexico Highlands University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,416, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of $42,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University placed #16 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #17 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,000. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $43,177. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #18 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $47,130. Set against $25,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,759. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $44,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earned the #20 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,106. Students borrow a median of $26,759 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earn a median of $49,489 early in their careers. Set against $26,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $58,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Houston Baptist University placed #22 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,430. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $34,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Texas Tech University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Southwest earned the #24 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,670. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $26,162. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prescott College placed #25 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Prescott, Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,490. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $27,230. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Prescott College generally make around $42,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prescott College admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in mental health counseling/counselor:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
