2026 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in counseling psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
For return on investment in counseling psychology, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for counseling psychology. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $67,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at Louisiana State University Shreveport, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $45,300. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of The Cumberlands one of the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $44,898. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $85,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Western Kentucky University placed #6 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $43,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama landed the #7 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $36,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Nicholls State University earned the #8 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,149, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Nicholls State University earn a median of $45,015 early in their careers. Set against $24,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,415. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Lindsey Wilson College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,119. Counseling Psychology graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $42,797 early in their careers. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kentucky placed #11 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,094. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $72,289 early in their careers. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Troy University came in at #12 for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $43,707. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Austin Peay State University earned the #13 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,530. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $44,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #14 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $22,859. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $47,265. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
William Carey University landed the #15 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $25,079 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $46,292. That is a strong return on a $25,079 median debt. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.
Mount Olive College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. In-state tuition and fees average $27,366. Students borrow a median of $30,798 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $45,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Alabama A And M University came in at #17 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,896 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $39,731 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Campbellsville University landed the #18 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,998. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $37,657. That is a strong return on a $24,148 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #19 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $23,813. Counseling Psychology graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $68,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University came in at #20 for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $77,356. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University earned the #21 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Bob Jones University placed #22 among the best values for counseling psychology. 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. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $20,497. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $40,538. Set against $20,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Toccoa Falls College landed the #23 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the town of Toccoa Falls, Toccoa Falls College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Toccoa Falls College earn a median of $21,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Mississippi College landed the #24 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,510. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $69,981. Set against $25,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
Faulkner University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Montgomery. Students from in state pay about $23,920 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Faulkner University generally make around $26,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Faulkner University admits about 73% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Counseling Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for counseling psychology this year:
Narrow Counseling Psychology Schools by State
More 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
