2027 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Associate’s Degree Schools
[Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/substance-abuse-addiction-counseling/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 81 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools.
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2027 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in substance abuse/addiction counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools
Our analysis ranked San Joaquin Delta College the best value for a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling in the United States. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $6,382. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
St Petersburg College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Students borrow a median of $24,385 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,385 median debt.
Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $5,707. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Cypress College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
El Centro College landed the #6 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #7 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $5,939. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $31,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #8 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #9 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College landed the #10 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Miami Dade College came in at #11 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $40,267. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pamlico Community College earned the #12 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,712, while out-of-state students pay about $12,928. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,005.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $59,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College landed the #14 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $18,043. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $40,665. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Southside Virginia Community College earned the #16 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $28,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #17 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $17,477. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $29,883 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Camden County College landed the #19 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $12,999. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $39,549. That is a strong return on a $12,999 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College earned the #20 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Students borrow a median of $11,200 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $27,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology placed #21 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $60,000. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College earned the #22 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Students borrow a median of $14,073 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,073 median debt.
Skagit Valley College earned the #23 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #24 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $19,185 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $31,821 early in their careers. Set against $19,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College earned the #25 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in substance abuse/addiction counseling:
Other Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Degree Levels
Explore the best-value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools at other degree levels:
View All Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 81 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.
