2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Bachelor’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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 460 schools to find the best return on investment for substance abuse/addiction counseling students.
What’s on this page:
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
Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #1 spot for value among substance abuse/addiction counseling schools in the United States. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $14,699. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $53,048. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Centralia College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Centralia, Centralia College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,651 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Centralia College generally make around $77,740.
Sinte Gleska University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,714. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,948 ten years after entry.
University Of The Cumberlands placed #6 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $21,137. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University earned the #7 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $56,419. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Maine At Augusta placed #8 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Students borrow a median of $33,250 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $39,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Global landed the #9 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $46,968. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $33,954. Set against $46,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Old Dominion University came in at #10 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $30,949. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $37,645. That is a strong return on a $30,949 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #11 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $32,618. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #12 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,648. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $44,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $40,426. Set against $44,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #13 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,269 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $46,691. That is a strong return on a $27,269 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota placed #14 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $26,000. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $41,191. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University landed the #15 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $42,688 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $56,516 early in their careers. Set against $42,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University placed #16 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $39,560 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $37,693. Set against $39,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $53,508. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $46,270. Set against $53,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Lackawanna College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,400. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $39,750 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $37,408. Set against $39,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvernia University came in at #19 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,000. Students borrow a median of $54,779 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $41,115. Set against $54,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Intercoast Colleges West Covina landed the #20 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the suburb of West Covina, Intercoast Colleges West Covina is a small private for-profit institution. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $18,667 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Intercoast Colleges West Covina earn a median of $36,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling rankings across degree levels:
View All Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 460 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
