2026 Best Value Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology Schools in Kentucky
[Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong clinical, counseling & applied psychology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 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 Kentucky
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
For return on investment in clinical, counseling & applied psychology, no school beat Northern Kentucky University this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $57,094. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #2. 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. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates is $25,122. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $43,802. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of The Cumberlands earned it the #5 place for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Lindsey Wilson College placed #6 among the best values for clinical, counseling & applied psychology. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,808 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College generally make around $42,797. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt.
University Of Kentucky landed the #7 spot for clinical, counseling & applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the clinical, counseling & applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, clinical, counseling & applied psychology degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $72,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Campbellsville University earned the #8 position for value in clinical, counseling & applied psychology this year. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,148 in student loans. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $37,657 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Spalding University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value clinical, counseling & applied psychology schools. Set in the city of Louisville, Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,000 in tuition and fees. Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,862 in student loans. Early-career clinical, counseling & applied psychology graduates make about $70,760. That is a strong return on a $29,862 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
