2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Texas
[Mental Health Counseling/Counselor](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/mental-health-counseling-counselor/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for mental health counseling/counselor students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mental health counseling/counselor degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mental Health Counseling/Counselor Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for mental health counseling/counselor in Texas. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $23,160. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,328. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $19,185. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $31,821. That is a strong return on a $19,185 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria 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 Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,081. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in mental health counseling/counselor, landing the #4 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $49,428. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in mental health counseling/counselor will find it at Texas A And M University Kingsville, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $25,531. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University landed the #6 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $62,324. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #7 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $21,100. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $49,971. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #8 for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,785. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $52,271. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #10 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $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.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio earned the #11 position for value in mental health counseling/counselor this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,106. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #12 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $24,759. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $44,254. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #13 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. 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. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University landed the #14 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $34,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
Texas Tech University landed the #15 spot for mental health counseling/counselor value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Hardin Simmons University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,960. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $26,674 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $41,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,434 in tuition and fees. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,040 in student loans. Early-career mental health counseling/counselor graduates make about $41,496. Set against $25,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Marys University admits about 98% of applicants.
Saint Edwards University placed #18 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,384. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $25,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, mental health counseling/counselor degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $39,898. That is a strong return on a $25,059 median debt. Saint Edwards University admits about 81% of applicants.
Letourneau University placed #19 among the best values for mental health counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,160. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $32,086. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Letourneau University earn a median of $53,569 early in their careers. Set against $32,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Letourneau University admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,300. Students borrow a median of $26,782 to complete the mental health counseling/counselor program here. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $47,322 early in their careers. Set against $26,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southern Methodist University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value mental health counseling/counselor schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for mental health counseling/counselor graduates is $20,712. Mental Health Counseling/counselor graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $42,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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Notes and References
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
