by our College Data Analytics Team
[Trauma Counseling](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/trauma-counseling/) 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 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for trauma counseling students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in trauma counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in trauma counseling, no school beat Washburn University this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $31,063 to complete the trauma counseling program here. Early-career trauma counseling graduates make about $52,595. That is a strong return on a $31,063 median debt.
East Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in trauma counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the trauma counseling program here. Trauma Counseling graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $46,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Oswego earned it the #3 place for trauma counseling. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Trauma Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Soon after graduation, trauma counseling degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $51,339. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes State University Of New York At New Paltz one of the best values for trauma counseling. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Typical student debt for trauma counseling graduates is $21,530. Trauma Counseling 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. The acceptance rate is 62%.
A rank of #5 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for trauma counseling. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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Malone University came in at #6 for value in trauma counseling this year. Malone University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,160. Students borrow a median of $27,956 to complete the trauma counseling program here. Soon after graduation, trauma counseling degree recipients from Malone University generally make around $48,359. That is a strong return on a $27,956 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Hood College earned the #7 position for value in trauma counseling this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,700. Students borrow a median of $24,703 to complete the trauma counseling program here. Early-career trauma counseling graduates make about $56,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary placed #8 among the best values for trauma counseling. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the trauma counseling program here. Trauma Counseling graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $48,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,857 median debt. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.
George Fox University earned the #9 position for value in trauma counseling this year. Located in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. Typical student debt for trauma counseling graduates is $25,324. Trauma Counseling graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $46,410 early in their careers. Set against $25,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Case Western Reserve University earned the #10 position for value in trauma counseling this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the trauma counseling program here. Early-career trauma counseling graduates make about $74,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Explore the best-value trauma counseling schools at other degree levels:
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.