[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 298 schools to find the best return on investment for student counseling students.
Finding the Best Value Student Counseling School for You
Where you study student counseling affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Student Counseling Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Student Counseling Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in student counseling, no school beat California State University San Bernardino this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for student counseling. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $67,075 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $59,968 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #5 place for student counseling. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $45,604. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Fresno placed #6 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $46,137. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #7 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $16,202. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $57,751 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus placed #8 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #9 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University landed the #10 spot for student counseling value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $58,659. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College landed the #12 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #13 for value in student counseling this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $69,652. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #14 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $59,543. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #15 position for value in student counseling this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $57,345. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Florida earned the #16 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $48,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University East Bay ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $71,142. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,095. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $54,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,886. Student Counseling graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $51,759 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #20 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $53,838. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #21 position for value in student counseling this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $48,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
San Francisco State University placed #22 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $73,361. Set against $17,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Portland State University landed the #23 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $48,263. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $45,569. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #25 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $46,820. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Student Counseling Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in student counseling:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 298 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 298 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).
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
