2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 60 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for counseling psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in counseling psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
Our analysis ranked Holy Family University the best value for a degree in counseling psychology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,330. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $50,692. Set against $26,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $73,914. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at Trinity Washington University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,610. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $56,796. That is a strong return on a $31,194 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Goldey Beacom College one of the best values for counseling psychology. Goldey Beacom College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,940. Students borrow a median of $20,743 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Goldey Beacom College earn a median of $57,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Goldey Beacom College admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia University In The City Of New York earned it the #5 place for counseling psychology. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore earned the #6 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,681 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $56,837. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Washington Adventist University placed #7 among the best values for counseling psychology. Washington Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Takoma Park. In-state tuition and fees average $26,604. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $47,033. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $85,352. Set against $47,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington Adventist University admits about 46% of applicants.
Suny At Albany came in at #8 for value in counseling psychology this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $22,430. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $41,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Students borrow a median of $26,330 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $42,731. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bowie State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,218, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,474 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $47,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University At Buffalo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $53,514 early in their careers. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Georgian Court University came in at #12 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,110 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Georgian Court University earn a median of $48,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rowan University placed #13 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $65,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Caldwell College came in at #14 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Caldwell, Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,848. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $26,188. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Caldwell College generally make around $58,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Caldwell College admits about 71% of applicants.
Rosemont College landed the #15 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Rosemont College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rosemont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,854. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Rosemont College generally make around $48,735. Set against $29,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rosemont College admits about 76% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
La Salle University came in at #17 for value in counseling psychology this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,462. Counseling Psychology graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $62,148 early in their careers. Set against $25,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Geneva College placed #18 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the suburb of Beaver Falls, Geneva College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,450 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,396 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Geneva College generally make around $43,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned the #20 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,468. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,701. Counseling Psychology graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earn a median of $50,364 early in their careers. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham admits about 95% of applicants.
Marywood University placed #21 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Students borrow a median of $27,744 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $45,851. That is a strong return on a $27,744 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Chatham University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $45,001. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $38,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.
Arcadia University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $26,921. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $50,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Eastern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,400. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,584 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $44,946. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattan College landed the #25 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,400. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Manhattan College generally make around $53,411. Set against $25,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for counseling psychology this year:
Narrow Counseling Psychology Schools by State
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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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
