2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) 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 38 schools to find the best return on investment for counseling psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the counseling psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
Governors State University earned the #1 spot for value among counseling psychology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $52,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #2. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,925. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $48,357. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #3 place for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,582. Counseling Psychology graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $26,689. Counseling Psychology graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $58,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Chicago State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Huntington University earned the #6 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,870. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $28,332. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $42,992. Set against $28,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Ball State University placed #7 among the best values for counseling psychology. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $27,075 to complete the counseling psychology program here. 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.
National Louis University earned the #8 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $29,242. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $57,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #9 among the best values for counseling psychology. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $55,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #10 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,347. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $68,344. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global came in at #11 for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $38,759 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn a median of $40,706 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Chicago placed #12 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,374. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University placed #13 among the best values for counseling psychology. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $27,360. Counseling Psychology graduates of North Park University earn a median of $55,960 early in their careers. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Martin University earned the #14 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Martin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,200. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $46,037.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #16 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $12,000. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $39,808. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Mount Mary College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,420. Students borrow a median of $26,372 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Mount Mary College generally make around $47,456. Set against $26,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #18 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, 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 $57,368. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Roosevelt University earned the #21 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $23,879. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $59,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Spring Arbor University came in at #22 for value in counseling psychology this year. Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,014. Students borrow a median of $28,268 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $47,874. That is a strong return on a $28,268 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University earned the #23 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Students borrow a median of $26,724 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Valparaiso University generally make around $47,384. Set against $26,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Cornerstone University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $38,622. That is a strong return on a $29,243 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville came in at #25 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,100. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,029. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $47,693. That is a strong return on a $25,029 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s counseling psychology value ranking:
Narrow Counseling Psychology Schools by State
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Notes and References
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
