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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Master’s Degree Schools

130 Colleges in the United States
$26,026 Avg Student Debt
$56,016 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Master's Degree Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 314 schools to find the best return on investment for counseling psychology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the United States

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

1

Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for counseling psychology in the United States. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $15,671. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $81,000. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

2
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Bakersfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

4

University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

5
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #5 place for counseling psychology. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. 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. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

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6
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University landed the #6 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.

7

University Of Georgia landed the #7 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $21,792. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $64,962 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

8
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University landed the #8 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $61,726. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Houston Victoria landed the #9 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $48,689. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

10

Eastern Washington University earned the #10 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $70,143. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Texas Womans University came in at #11 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the counseling psychology program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.

12
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College landed the #12 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

13

Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #13 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $45,681. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

14

University Of The Cumberlands earned the #14 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.

15

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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16

University Of North Texas came in at #16 for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,583 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $54,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,583 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

17

Louisiana State University Shreveport ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

18
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University landed the #18 spot for counseling psychology value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,582. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $53,952. That is a strong return on a $25,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

19

Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #19 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $46,473. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

20

Central Washington University landed the #20 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $44,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

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21
Holy Family University crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University came in at #21 for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,562 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $50,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

22

The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #22 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $20,959. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $52,767. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

23

Chadron State College landed the #23 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $47,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Carlos Albizu University San Juan placed #24 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of San Juan, Carlos Albizu University San Juan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,120. Counseling Psychology graduates of Carlos Albizu University San Juan earn a median of $50,549 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.

25

University Of North Alabama earned the #25 position for value in counseling psychology this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,291. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $36,598. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s counseling psychology value ranking:

26
27
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Bay Path College crest
Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
42
Touro University Worldwide crest
Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, CA
43
44
45
46
47
Huntington University crest
Huntington University
Huntington, IN
48
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
49
50

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
Bachelor's Degrees in Counseling Psychology
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View All Counseling Psychology Rankings >

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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 130 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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