2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in California
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
San Diego City College earned the #1 spot for value among substance abuse/addiction counseling schools in California. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
A rank of #2 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $59,278. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Fresno City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yuba College earned the #6 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $89,816. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Redwoods earned the #7 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Porterville College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,328 ten years after entry.
Allan Hancock College came in at #10 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Long Beach City College came in at #11 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. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College landed the #12 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Diablo Valley College placed #13 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Bernardino Valley College earned the #15 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. San Bernardino Valley College is a large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of San Bernardino Valley College earn a median of $69,642 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Los Angeles City College landed the #16 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $10,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Los Angeles City College generally make around $83,699. That is a strong return on a $10,763 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #17 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
East Los Angeles College placed #18 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
Palo Verde College placed #19 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the rural area of Blythe, Palo Verde College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Median earnings reach $36,389 ten years out.
Los Angeles Pierce College came in at #20 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,477 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,521 ten years after entry. Set against $12,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuesta College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $18,958. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Set against $18,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Desert came in at #22 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Palm Desert, College Of The Desert is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,326, with out-of-state students paying around $10,174. Students borrow a median of $7,826 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $7,826 median debt.
Napa Valley College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Napa, Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,908. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,517.
Touro University Worldwide earned the #24 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,640. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $32,289 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Touro University Worldwide earn a median of $53,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,289 median debt.
Intercoast Colleges West Covina placed #25 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of West Covina, Intercoast Colleges West Covina is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $18,667. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Intercoast Colleges West Covina earn a median of $36,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,667 median debt.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/substance-abuse-addiction-counseling/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
