2027 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for substance abuse/addiction counseling students.
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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
For return on investment in substance abuse/addiction counseling, no school beat Lake Washington Institute Of Technology this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado Mountain College earned it the #2 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $12,953. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seattle Community College Central Campus earned it the #3 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $14,699. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Students borrow a median of $46,968 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $33,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $46,968 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Centralia College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Centralia, Centralia College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,266, compared with $5,651 for out-of-state students. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $77,740.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $40,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Eastern Washington University earned the #8 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $56,419 early in their careers. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
City Vision University earned the #9 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. City Vision University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,123.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $21,137 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Old Dominion University earned the #11 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #12 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $27,000. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $24,340 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport placed #13 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #14 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $32,618. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
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. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $56,516. That is a strong return on a $42,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,269 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $46,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,269 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #17 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $28,263. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $34,541 early in their careers. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Dakota ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $41,191 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Lackawanna College came in at #19 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,400. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $39,750. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $37,408. That is a strong return on a $39,750 median debt.
Grand Canyon University placed #20 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $39,560 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $37,693 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $39,560 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $53,508 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $46,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Alvernia University came in at #22 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. Students from in state pay about $45,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $54,779 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Alvernia University earn a median of $41,115 early in their careers. Set against $54,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
