2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
[Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 314 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counseling psychology students.
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Finding the Best Value Counseling Psychology School for You
Where you study counseling psychology affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in counseling psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools in the United States. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $15,671. Counseling Psychology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $81,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for counseling psychology. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Texas At Dallas one of the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #5 place for counseling psychology. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,990. Counseling Psychology graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $52,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Midwestern State University earned the #6 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #7 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. 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 counseling psychology graduates is $24,081. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $48,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Lamar University earned the #8 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $61,726 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas Womans University earned the #9 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,211. Counseling Psychology graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $53,700 early in their careers. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #10 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $67,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #11 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $77,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rhode Island College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $23,394. Counseling Psychology graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University landed the #13 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $70,143. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #14 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $48,357 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #15 for value in counseling psychology this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $44,898. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Louisiana State University Shreveport landed the #16 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $28,907. Counseling Psychology graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #17 among the best values for counseling psychology. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $18,660. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $46,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #18 for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of North Texas landed the #20 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $19,583. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $58,758. Set against $19,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Memphis landed the #21 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $26,315. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $85,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Central Washington University came in at #22 for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $44,178. Set against $21,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Holy Family University earned the #23 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $50,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #24 position for value in counseling psychology this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $52,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Chadron State College placed #25 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s counseling psychology value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Counseling Psychology. See all related rankings.
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 · 314 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 151 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.
