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2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Master’s Degree Schools

358 Colleges in the United States
$25,372 Avg Student Debt
$58,079 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Master's Degree Badge [Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 802 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the United States

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

1

California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.

2

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $11,691. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $73,106 early in their careers. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $12,157. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $68,068. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $13,303. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $60,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

5

California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

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6

California State University San Bernardino placed #6 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $14,958. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $54,091. Set against $14,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #7 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,421 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $48,361 early in their careers. Set against $13,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $65,597. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

9

California State University Northridge came in at #9 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $81,871 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

10
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College came in at #10 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

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11

California State University Sacramento earned the #11 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

12
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #12 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

13
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Central Florida earned the #14 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $55,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

15

California State University Bakersfield earned the #15 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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16

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #16 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $61,846. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #17 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

18

Florida Atlantic University placed #18 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $13,500. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $25,501 early in their careers. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

19
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University came in at #19 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,990. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $52,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.

20

University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,181. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

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21

San Jose State University came in at #21 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.

22
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #22 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $57,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #23 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $62,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

24

University Of Houston Victoria came in at #24 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $48,689. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #25 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $26,516. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology:

26
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
27
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
28
29
30
31
32
33
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
34
35
36
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
37
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
50

Rest of the Top 15% Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools

The following schools rounded out the strongest clinical, counseling & applied psychology values:

Rank College Location
#51 Texas A And M University San Antonio San Antonio, TX Full Report
#52 University Of Missouri St Louis Saint Louis, MO Full Report
#53 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN Full Report
#54 Arizona State University Tempe, AZ Full Report

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology:

Rank College Location
#55 University Of North Texas Denton, TX Full Report
#56 Monroe College Main Campus Bronx, NY Full Report
#57 Holy Family University Philadelphia, PA Full Report
#58 Brigham Young University Provo Provo, UT Full Report
#59 Wichita State University Wichita, KS Full Report
#60 North Carolina A And T State University Greensboro, NC Full Report
#61 University Of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SC Full Report
#62 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Full Report
#63 Colorado State University Global Campus Denver, CO Full Report
#64 Saint Peters College Jersey City, NJ Full Report
#65 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA Full Report
#66 The University Of Texas At Tyler Tyler, TX Full Report
#67 Carlos Albizu University San Juan San Juan, PR Full Report
#68 University Of North Alabama Florence, AL Full Report
#69 University Of Wisconsin Whitewater Whitewater, WI Full Report
#70 Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN Full Report
#71 Chadron State College Chadron, NE Full Report
#72 Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington, IN Full Report

Other Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Degree Levels

Explore the best-value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology
Associate's Degrees in Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology
Bachelor's Degrees in Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology
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Notes and References

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 · 802 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 358 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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