2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Massachusetts
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for student counseling students.
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2026 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in student counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Student Counseling Schools
Bridgewater State University tops our 2026 list of the best value student counseling schools in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,632. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,196. That is a strong return on a $26,632 median debt. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Boston earned it the #2 place for student counseling. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $60,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Salem State University one of the best values for student counseling. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $51,929. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #4 place for student counseling. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $55,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
A rank of #5 makes Assumption College one of the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,356. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,194. Set against $26,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Springfield College earned the #6 position for value in student counseling this year. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $49,996. That is a strong return on a $27,151 median debt. Springfield College admits about 72% of applicants.
Merrimack College landed the #7 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Set against $26,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
More Student Counseling Rankings
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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 6 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.
