2026 Best Value Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor Schools in California
[Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/vocational-rehabilitation-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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/Counselor Schools
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor schools in California. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $12,812 in student loans. Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/counselor graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $32,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #2. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor graduates is $15,149. Early-career vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor graduates make about $50,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #3 place for vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor graduates is $15,598. Early-career vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor graduates make about $72,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/counselor graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/counselor graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for vocational rehabilitation counseling/counselor graduates is $16,417. Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/counselor graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $67,333 early in their careers. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
