by our College Data Analytics Team
[Student Counseling](/majors/education/student-counseling/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for student counseling students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the student counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Chadron State College, our #1 best value for student counseling in Nebraska. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $22,912. Student Counseling graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $57,719 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for student counseling. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the student counseling program here. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,692. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State College earned it the #3 place for student counseling. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $22,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $51,778. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in student counseling will find it at University Of Nebraska At Kearney, which ranked #4. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $22,173 in student loans. Early-career student counseling graduates make about $47,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Concordia University Seward came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value student counseling schools. Set in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,640. Student Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,726 in student loans. Student Counseling graduates of Concordia University Seward earn a median of $51,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,726 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Doane College Crete landed the #6 spot for student counseling value this year. Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crete. Students from in state pay about $41,985 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for student counseling graduates is $28,802. Soon after graduation, student counseling degree recipients from Doane College Crete generally make around $63,309. Set against $28,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University landed the #7 spot for student counseling value this year. Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,856. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the student counseling program here. Student Counseling graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.