2027 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Illinois
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value student counseling schools.
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2027 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Illinois
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
For return on investment in student counseling, no school beat Eastern Illinois University this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,293 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $45,390 early in their careers. Set against $24,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $42,905 early in their careers. 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 Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. 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. Student Counseling graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. 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. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Lewis University came in at #5 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $24,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #6 position for value in student counseling this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,956 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $74,696. Set against $26,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #7 among the best values for student counseling. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $21,896. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $46,091. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $57,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Depaul University earned the #9 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $52,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
