2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in New Jersey
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in New Jersey
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
Leading the list is New Jersey City University, our #1 best value for clinical, counseling & applied psychology in New Jersey. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $22,107. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $58,765. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at Kean University, which ranked #2. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Kean University earn a median of $54,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Peters College earned it the #3 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $50,944 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,286. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $50,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Somerset Christian College 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 Newark, Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,900. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,991 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $45,662. That is a strong return on a $24,991 median debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #6 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $73,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #7 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. Set against $25,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Georgian Court University placed #8 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,110. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Georgian Court University generally make around $48,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgian Court University admits about 79% of applicants.
Caldwell College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Caldwell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,848. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Caldwell College generally make around $58,258. Set against $26,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rowan University landed the #10 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $65,803 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #11 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,120. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $53,209. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham earned the #12 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,468. Students borrow a median of $24,701 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $50,364. Set against $24,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rider University landed the #13 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $26,241. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $55,303. Set against $26,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Seton Hall University earned the #14 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $23,422. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $58,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
Felician College landed the #15 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Lodi, Felician College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,300. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Felician College generally make around $48,122. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
