2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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 26 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 Rocky Mountains Region
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
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #1 spot for value among clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Utah came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $65,640. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado State University Global Campus earned it the #4 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,000. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $31,361 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Colorado State University Global Campus earn a median of $68,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $12,184. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Adams State College landed the #6 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,824, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,523 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $49,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montana State University Billings landed the #7 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $48,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Idaho State University placed #8 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,974 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $57,034 early in their careers. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #10 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $56,195. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #11 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,843 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $67,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University landed the #12 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $49,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Great Falls placed #13 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Great Falls. Students from in state pay about $30,448 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,847 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $104,670. Set against $23,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Great Falls admits about 50% of applicants.
Regis University placed #14 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $31,773. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $49,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University landed the #15 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $36,092 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $44,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Naropa University came in at #16 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Boulder, Naropa University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,620. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $33,250. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $37,793. Set against $33,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Denver placed #17 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $22,534. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $61,301. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
