2027 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in Massachusetts

[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong student counseling education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for student counseling students.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Salem State University, our #1 best value for student counseling in Massachusetts. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $27,176. 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. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,632. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $54,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $60,385 early in their careers. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Boston University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,232. Student Counseling graduates of Boston University earn a median of $55,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
American International College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $66,104. Set against $30,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.
Assumption College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,356 in tuition and fees. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Assumption College earn a median of $54,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Springfield College earned the #7 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,151 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $49,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Springfield College admits about 72% of applicants.
Cambridge College landed the #8 spot for student counseling value this year. Cambridge College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,378. Students borrow a median of $29,776 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Cambridge College earn a median of $54,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,776 median debt.
Merrimack College earned the #9 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $26,913. Student Counseling graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
More Student Counseling Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 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.