2027 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for student counseling students.
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2027 Best Value Student Counseling Schools in the The Plains States Region
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 Chadron State College, our #1 best value for student counseling in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $22,912 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $57,719. That is a strong return on a $22,912 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #2 place for student counseling. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $53,762. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $54,939. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $21,783. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,692. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in student counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $48,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #6 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $25,943. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $44,437. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Wayne State College landed the #7 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $51,778 early in their careers. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $52,154. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #10 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,289 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $45,743. Set against $23,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #11 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $22,173. Student Counseling graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $47,366 early in their careers. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University landed the #12 spot for student counseling value this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $57,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University placed #13 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the student counseling program here. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $42,939. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #14 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,408. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $45,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Capella University placed #15 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $35,998. Student Counseling graduates of Capella University earn a median of $69,183 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,447. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $48,510. Set against $24,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of North Dakota came in at #17 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Buena Vista University landed the #18 spot for student counseling value this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $29,317. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Buena Vista University generally make around $49,397. That is a strong return on a $29,317 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #19 for value in student counseling this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $21,818. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $63,559. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University placed #20 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $47,436. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #21 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $24,463. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $48,327. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Seward placed #22 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,640. Students borrow a median of $26,726 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Concordia University Seward earn a median of $51,046 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Stephens College placed #23 among the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,300. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $33,326 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Stephens College generally make around $41,511. That is a strong return on a $33,326 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Doane College Crete came in at #24 for value in student counseling this year. Set in the town of Crete, Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,985. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $28,802. Student Counseling graduates of Doane College Crete earn a median of $63,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,122. Students borrow a median of $27,337 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $40,340 early in their careers. Set against $27,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Student Counseling Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s student counseling value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
