2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in Massachusetts

[Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 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 Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools
Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $16,616. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at Worcester State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,451. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $45,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Bay Path College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,302. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $29,811. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $65,008. That is a strong return on a $29,811 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
A rank of #4 makes Framingham State University one of the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Students borrow a median of $25,872 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $55,930. Set against $25,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,632 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $48,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #6 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $26,236. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $58,588 early in their careers. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University placed #7 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $56,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Westfield State University landed the #8 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,910. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $54,545. That is a strong return on a $25,910 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #9 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $49,919 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $51,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Simmons College earned the #11 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $26,740. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $68,173. Set against $26,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
American International College came in at #12 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $51,772. That is a strong return on a $30,390 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Regis College earned the #13 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,680 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,441 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Regis College earn a median of $72,803 early in their careers. Set against $27,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regis College admits about 70% of applicants.
Assumption College came in at #14 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,356. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Assumption College earn a median of $55,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Assumption College admits about 83% of applicants.
Eastern Nazarene College landed the #15 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Quincy, Eastern Nazarene College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,924. Students borrow a median of $28,690 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $67,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Springfield College placed #16 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $43,426. That is a strong return on a $27,151 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Anna Maria College came in at #17 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,571. Students borrow a median of $26,734 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Anna Maria College generally make around $81,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Western New England University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,820 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,520. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $66,796. Set against $25,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts landed the #19 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $41,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.
Lesley University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $38,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Northeastern University earned the #21 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,611. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $58,377. Set against $25,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,530. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $73,671. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts College Of Pharmacy And Health Sciences admits about 85% of applicants.
Tufts University earned the #23 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $48,680. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College landed the #24 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Students borrow a median of $17,361 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Boston College earn a median of $42,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.