2027 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for substance abuse/addiction counseling students.
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2027 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
For return on investment in substance abuse/addiction counseling, no school beat Elgin Community College this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $13,613 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $29,812. That is a strong return on a $13,613 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned it the #3 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $17,477 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Kokomo earned it the #4 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $46,902. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #5 makes College Of Dupage one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #6 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $16,067 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $29,954. That is a strong return on a $16,067 median debt.
Marion Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $48,132. Set against $11,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $35,229 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Belmont College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $7,200. Students borrow a median of $20,524 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Belmont College earn a median of $58,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College came in at #10 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #11 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Students borrow a median of $11,259 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $25,557. Set against $11,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global landed the #12 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $46,968 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $33,954. Set against $46,968 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #13 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #14 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $13,319. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $43,548 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #15 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $16,882 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $31,865. Set against $16,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $42,016. Set against $14,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $35,927. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $46,398. That is a strong return on a $35,927 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #18 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $10,250. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $48,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #19 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $21,999. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $48,165. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University landed the #20 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $44,369. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #21 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $44,279 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,812 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $45,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University earned the #23 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $76,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Western Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $42,266. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in substance abuse/addiction counseling:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.