by our College Data Analytics Team
[Counseling Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/counseling-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in counseling psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked University Of North Texas At Dallas the best value for a degree in counseling psychology in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at University Of Houston Victoria, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $48,689. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned it the #3 place for counseling psychology. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $46,473. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at Texas Womans University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $53,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $61,726 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University placed #6 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $26,415. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston landed the #7 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $77,167 early in their careers. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
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Northwestern Oklahoma State University placed #8 among the best values for counseling psychology. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,970, compared with $11,664 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,438 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $50,404. Set against $22,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwestern Oklahoma State University admits about 66% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #9 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $22,771. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $45,681. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cameron University placed #10 among the best values for counseling psychology. Cameron University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lawton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,095, while out-of-state students pay about $16,515. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,967 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Cameron University earn a median of $43,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern State University placed #11 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $23,465. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $49,040. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #12 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $52,767 early in their careers. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #13 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $19,583 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $58,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University placed #14 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $45,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
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Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $22,337. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $72,775. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Sam Houston State University placed #16 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $44,512. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #17 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $23,659. Counseling Psychology graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $53,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #18 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $29,824. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $51,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio landed the #19 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,106. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Nazarene University placed #20 among the best values for counseling psychology. Located in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,190 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,684 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Southern Nazarene University generally make around $51,249. Set against $29,684 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid America Christian University landed the #21 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,294. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $37,852. Counseling Psychology graduates of Mid America Christian University earn a median of $40,506 early in their careers. Set against $37,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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Texas Tech University placed #22 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,271. Counseling Psychology graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $69,689 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #23 spot for counseling psychology value this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $23,321. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $39,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,321 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Texas Wesleyan University landed the #24 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $39,582 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,461 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Texas Wesleyan University earn a median of $47,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,461 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Tarleton State University earned the #25 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $43,238 early in their careers. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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These schools also delivered strong value for counseling psychology this year:
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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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
