2026 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 460 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for substance abuse/addiction counseling students.
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2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools
Mt San Antonio College tops our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $59,278. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes San Diego City College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
A rank of #5 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,385. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College came in at #6 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $8,600. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $23,530. 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.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,246. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex Community College placed #9 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,200. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $27,799. That is a strong return on a $11,200 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $31,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College placed #12 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Allan Hancock College earned the #13 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Peninsula College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Students borrow a median of $12,730 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Peninsula College generally make around $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College earned the #15 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Students borrow a median of $12,999 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $39,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,999 median debt.
San Antonio College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #17 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $53,048. That is a strong return on a $14,699 median debt.
Long Beach City College came in at #18 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College landed the #19 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $9,205. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $18,043. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $40,665. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #22 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. 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. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District landed the #23 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $25,948. 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.
Skagit Valley College earned the #24 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $14,056. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $34,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College earned the #25 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year:
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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 460 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
