2027 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Southwest Region
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for student counseling students.
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2027 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in student counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Student Counseling Schools
The University Of Texas Pan American tops our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools in the Southwest Region. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $57,345. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $15,095. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
A rank of #3 makes Southeastern Oklahoma State University one of the best values for student counseling. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $57,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #4 makes Western New Mexico University one of the best values for student counseling. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $60,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
East Central University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of East Central University earn a median of $51,442 early in their careers. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #7 spot for student counseling value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #8 for value in student counseling this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $45,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University earned the #9 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $50,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #10 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $43,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $21,842. Student Counseling graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $52,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #13 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Sul Ross State University earned the #14 position for value in student counseling this year. Located in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,592, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $18,951 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Sul Ross State University earn a median of $44,296 early in their careers. Set against $18,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Angelo State University landed the #15 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico Highlands University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,416, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $18,900. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #17 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Texas landed the #18 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,567. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in student counseling this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $19,738. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,015. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University earned the #20 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,850. Student Counseling graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in student counseling this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,685. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Southern University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $41,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of The Southwest earned the #23 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,670. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of University Of The Southwest earn a median of $54,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #24 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $23,321. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $51,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University earned the #25 position for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $43,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Student Counseling Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for student counseling this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
