ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
$26,799 Avg Student Debt
$56,827 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Bachelor's Degree Badge [Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 22
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 42.28), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Clinical Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Clinical Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counseling PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Counseling PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology EdS Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology EdS Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology PsyD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology PsyD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Applied Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Applied Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Counselor Education (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Counselor Education (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 12
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 12 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 12
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 6 offers with relevance >= 0.9

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

1

Leading the list is Eastern Washington University, our #1 best value for counseling psychology in the United States. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $70,143. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

2

University Of North Texas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $32,553. That is a strong return on a $19,583 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

3

Ball State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $64,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at Wayne State College, which ranked #4. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $35,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt.

5

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $38,759. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $40,706. Set against $38,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

ADBLOCK #101
6
Bay Path College crest
Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path College landed the #6 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,302. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $29,811. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $65,008. Set against $29,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.

7

University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $12,000. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $39,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

8

Western Michigan University landed the #8 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $28,007. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

9
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC

Mount Olive College earned the #9 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $30,798. Counseling Psychology graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $45,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,798 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

10
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $72,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $67,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.

12
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC

Bob Jones University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $22,892 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,497 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Bob Jones University earn a median of $40,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
Toccoa Falls College crest
Toccoa Falls College
Toccoa Falls, GA

Toccoa Falls College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the town of Toccoa Falls, Toccoa Falls College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,950. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,250. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $21,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

14
Morningside College crest
Morningside College
Sioux City, IA

Morningside College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $39,519. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $27,281. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $54,988. That is a strong return on a $27,281 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

15
Regis University crest
Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University landed the #15 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $31,773. Counseling Psychology graduates of Regis University earn a median of $49,365 early in their careers. Set against $31,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

ADBLOCK #145
16
Faulkner University crest
Faulkner University
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University landed the #16 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,920. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,691 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Faulkner University earn a median of $26,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,691 median debt. Faulkner University admits about 73% of applicants.

17
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University placed #17 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $29,243. Counseling Psychology graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $38,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

18

Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,570. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,147. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Oklahoma Baptist University generally make around $29,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

19

Corban University placed #19 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the city of Salem, Corban University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,963. Students borrow a median of $24,318 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $41,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

20
Crown College crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN

Crown College came in at #20 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,410. Students borrow a median of $46,863 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Crown College generally make around $50,088. That is a strong return on a $46,863 median debt. Crown College admits about 23% of applicants.

ADBLOCK #150
21

Saint Marys College Of California came in at #21 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,803. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California generally make around $59,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys College Of California admits about 86% of applicants.

22

Emmanuel College Massachusetts ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $48,550. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $41,522. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.

23
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $38,404. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

24

Arizona Christian University came in at #24 for value in counseling psychology this year. Arizona Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,098. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,000. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $40,702. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona Christian University admits about 71% of applicants.

25
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College placed #25 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Students borrow a median of $17,361 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $42,384. Set against $17,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.

Other Counseling Psychology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value counseling psychology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Counseling Psychology
Associate's Degrees in Counseling Psychology
Master's Degrees in Counseling Psychology
ADBLOCK #173
View All Counseling Psychology Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options