2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the student counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Student Counseling Schools
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #1 spot for value among student counseling schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $50,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University South Bend is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #3. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $42,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Northeastern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $68,449 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,167. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,582. Student Counseling graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $45,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #7 spot for student counseling value this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $55,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #8 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $49,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Oakland University came in at #9 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $47,622. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in student counseling this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,293 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $45,390. That is a strong return on a $24,293 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #11 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,812, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $27,845. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $50,655. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #12 among the best values for student counseling. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $49,958. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #14 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $42,105. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Wayne State University landed the #15 spot for student counseling value this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $47,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #16 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,331. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Central Michigan University landed the #17 spot for student counseling value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $27,857. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $50,186. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $43,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #19 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $74,696. That is a strong return on a $26,956 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University landed the #20 spot for student counseling value this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $47,850. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #21 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $32,807. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $53,752. That is a strong return on a $32,807 median debt.
Grand Valley State University placed #22 among the best values for student counseling. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,378 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $50,498. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #23 for value in student counseling this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $48,103. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Lewis University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Students borrow a median of $24,838 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $56,337 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #25 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $47,120. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Student Counseling Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for student counseling this year:
Narrow Student Counseling Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong student counseling education at a price that pays off.
