by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value counseling psychology schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the counseling psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in counseling psychology, no school beat Chadron State College this year. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $47,254. Set against $22,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at Wayne State College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $35,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt.
University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in counseling psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,304. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $49,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in counseling psychology will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $79,622 early in their careers. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,500. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies generally make around $36,918. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University landed the #6 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,200. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $56,895. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
South Dakota State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $24,989. Counseling Psychology graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $45,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
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Capella University earned the #8 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $72,053. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Buena Vista University placed #9 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,317 in student loans. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $49,323. Set against $29,317 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota earned the #10 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $71,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #11 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $27,081. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $67,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of South Dakota placed #12 among the best values for counseling psychology. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $26,322. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $48,320. Set against $26,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Morningside College earned the #13 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Morningside College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,519. Counseling Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,281 in student loans. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $54,988. Set against $27,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Morningside College admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Saint Mary ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Set in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,380 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $27,810. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $55,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
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Webster University earned the #15 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $25,939. Early-career counseling psychology graduates make about $42,026. That is a strong return on a $25,939 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Crown College landed the #16 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Crown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. Students from in state pay about $31,410 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $46,863 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Crown College generally make around $50,088. Set against $46,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Doane College Crete ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value counseling psychology schools. Located in the town of Crete, Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,985. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $28,802. Soon after graduation, counseling psychology degree recipients from Doane College Crete generally make around $45,132. That is a strong return on a $28,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Midamerica Nazarene University earned the #18 position for value in counseling psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Olathe, Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,174. Students borrow a median of $25,740 to complete the counseling psychology program here. Counseling Psychology graduates of Midamerica Nazarene University earn a median of $47,940 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #19 spot for counseling psychology value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Typical student debt for counseling psychology graduates is $23,923. Counseling Psychology graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $70,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.