by our College Data Analytics Team
[Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/substance-abuse-addiction-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 227 schools to find the best return on investment for substance abuse/addiction counseling students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study substance abuse/addiction counseling affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in substance abuse/addiction counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Oxnard College the best value for a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling in the United States. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at St Petersburg College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,385. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $48,218. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $31,072. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Cypress College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Saddleback College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
El Centro College came in at #7 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $22,011. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $22,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #8 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $59,278. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #9 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Midland College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $9,000. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #11 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College earned the #12 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,967. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Pamlico Community College landed the #13 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,712, compared with $12,928 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $30,005 ten years out.
Yuba College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College earned the #15 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,839. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Tarrant County College District earned the #16 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,948 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $25,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College earned the #17 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. In-state tuition and fees average $1,956, while out-of-state students pay about $6,564. Students borrow a median of $8,407 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $46,757. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #18 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College placed #19 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College earned the #20 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Southside Virginia Community College came in at #21 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $9,500. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $30,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $13,613 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $29,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,613 median debt.
Utah Valley University earned the #23 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #24 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $36,418. That is a strong return on a $13,708 median debt.
Indiana University Kokomo came in at #25 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $46,902. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s substance abuse/addiction counseling value ranking:
Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 227 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 227 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.