2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Southeast Region
[Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong clinical, counseling & applied psychology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 147 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for clinical, counseling & applied psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in the Southeast 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
Leading the list is University Of South Florida Main Campus, our #1 best value for clinical, counseling & applied psychology in the Southeast Region. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,829. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $65,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. 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. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. 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. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #4 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $13,500. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $25,501. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Florida State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #6 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. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $57,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University placed #7 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,250. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $65,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $23,420. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #9 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,327. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #11 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $35,159 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #12 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $50,000. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $67,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #14 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $44,898. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #15 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $50,715. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University landed the #16 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $35,448. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $27,532 early in their careers. Set against $35,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Aiken placed #17 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,760, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $27,011. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $42,220 early in their careers. Set against $27,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Aiken admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #18 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $43,802. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Alabama came in at #19 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $36,598. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis landed the #20 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $85,214. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia placed #21 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $21,439. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $35,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Nicholls State University placed #23 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,149, compared with $9,242 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $24,513. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $45,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Francis Marion University came in at #24 for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Students borrow a median of $30,577 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $41,456. That is a strong return on a $30,577 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University placed #25 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $69,441. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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:
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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 · 147 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 77 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.
