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2023 Best Value Colleges for Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

33 Ranked Colleges
1,642 Degrees Awarded
$12,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 12,323 people earned their degree in counselor education/school counseling and guidance services, making the major the 68th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,642 counselor education/school counseling and guidance services graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 33 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in counselor education/school counseling and guidance services. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality counselor education/school counseling and guidance services programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the counselor education/school counseling and guidance services program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 227 diplomas to qualified ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou also made our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $11,386 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Mizzou.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Missouri - Columbia Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

2
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #2 spot on the list. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees to 55 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,324 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMSL Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

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St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Cloud State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,825 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Cloud State University Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

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WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wayne State College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Wayne, Nebraska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSC, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WSC is $11,672 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at Wayne State College

5
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #5 spot on the list. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 32 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

UND also took the #7 spot in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Dakota is $13,151 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at UND

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Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Southeast Missouri State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southeast Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It awarded 34 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

Southeast Missouri State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $11,406 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

7
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees to qualified students.

Iowa also made our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at University of Iowa

8
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 13 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Iowa is $13,175 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Northern Iowa Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

9

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,735 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

10
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

With a ranking of #10, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 43 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k list, K -State has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $14,653 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at K -State

11
BVU crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa

Buena Vista University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. BVU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Storm Lake, Iowa. It awarded 80 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BVU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Buena Vista University is $14,348 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at Buena Vista University

12

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMKC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $13,751 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at UMKC

13

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MSU Moorhead is a medium-sized school located in Moorhead, Minnesota that handed out 26 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Moorhead, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $14,194 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at MSU Moorhead

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WSU crest
Wichita State University
Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wichita State University is a public institution located in Wichita, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k list, WSU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $12,272 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at Wichita State University

15

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNK is a medium-sized public school situated in Kearney, Nebraska. It awarded 53 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNK, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney is $14,018 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UNK Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

16
Chadron State College crest
Chadron State College
Chadron, Nebraska

Chadron State College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chadron State College is a small school located in Chadron, Nebraska that handed out 19 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

Chadron State College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Chadron State College is $13,026 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at Chadron State College

17

With a ranking of #17, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees to 58 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNOMAHA, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha is $11,294 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at UNOMAHA

18

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 10 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northwest Missouri State University is $10,608 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

19

Fort Hays State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FHSU is a fairly large public school situated in Hays, Kansas. It awarded 48 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fort Hays State University is $10,847 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at Fort Hays State University

20
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

With a ranking of #20, Emporia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emporia State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Emporia, Kansas. It awarded 21 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ESU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,971 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Emporia State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at ESU

21
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $12,963 for Plains States Region Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Winona State University Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

22
LU Missouri crest
Lincoln University
Jefferson City, Missouri

Lincoln University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Jefferson City, Missouri, and it awarded 14 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Lincoln University is $12,725 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full LU Missouri Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

23
NSU crest
Northern State University
Aberdeen, South Dakota

Northern State University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northern State University is a public institution located in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

NSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northern State University is $13,172 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at Northern State University

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South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

With a ranking of #24, South Dakota State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 7 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,846 for plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services at South Dakota State

25
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 361 ’s counselor education/school counseling and guidance services degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region counselor education/school counseling and guidance services students whose families make $30-$48k list, Capella University has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

Full Capella University Counselor Education/School Counseling & Guidance Services Report

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