2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Far Western Region
[Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 110 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the clinical, counseling & applied psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $15,671. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $81,000. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #2 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $14,958 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $47,204. Set against $14,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #3. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $81,871. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #6 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $49,907. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of California San Diego landed the #7 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $26,953 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #8 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #9 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $14,259. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $33,192 early in their careers. Set against $14,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of Southern Nevada earned the #10 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
San Jose State University earned the #11 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University came in at #12 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied 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.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #13 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $45,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #14 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $45,403. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Portland State University placed #15 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Fresno Pacific University landed the #16 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $60,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #17 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,622 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $84,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University earned the #18 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $16,417. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $84,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo came in at #19 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,838, with out-of-state students paying around $20,798. Students borrow a median of $22,615 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Hilo generally make around $48,141. Set against $22,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,988 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $44,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University earned the #21 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,458. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $23,709. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Touro University Worldwide earned the #22 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,289 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Touro University Worldwide generally make around $61,331. Set against $32,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Oregon placed #23 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $44,628. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Redlands landed the #24 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,878. Students borrow a median of $27,175 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Redlands generally make around $57,218. That is a strong return on a $27,175 median debt. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.
Vanguard University Of Southern California landed the #25 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,111. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $80,727. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 110 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
