2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in Illinois
[Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong counseling psychology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counseling psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in Illinois
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
Our analysis ranked Governors State University the best value for a degree in counseling psychology in Illinois. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,990. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $52,581. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,925. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $48,357. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at National Louis University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,242 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $57,591. That is a strong return on a $29,242 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at Chicago State University, which ranked #4. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $43,322. Counseling Psychology graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
North Park University landed the #6 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $55,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Chicago earned the #7 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Illinois State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $21,896. 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%.
Roosevelt University landed the #9 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Students borrow a median of $23,879 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $59,141. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants.
Mckendree University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Students borrow a median of $24,362 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $51,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mckendree University admits about 72% of applicants.
Northwestern University placed #11 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $43,591. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #12 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $67,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
More Counseling Psychology Rankings
View All Counseling Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
