2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Master’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.
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
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
Florida Atlantic University earned the #1 spot for value among substance abuse/addiction counseling schools in the United States. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $47,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Utah Valley University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bayamon Central University earned it the #3 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Bayamón, Bayamon Central University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,986 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $12,125. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $16,061. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt. Bayamon Central University admits about 66% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned it the #4 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,181 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. 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%.
Rhode Island College landed the #6 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $27,000. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,190 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $56,930. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #8 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $21,100. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #9 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. 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. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $48,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Washburn University placed #10 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $31,063 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $52,595. Set against $31,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bay Path College came in at #11 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,302. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $29,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $69,427. Set against $29,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #12 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $61,488. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
East Carolina University landed the #14 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,747. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $46,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Central Michigan University came in at #15 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $40,333. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #16 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,484 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $44,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $39,724. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy came in at #18 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $29,053 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #20 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Touro University Worldwide came in at #21 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,640. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $32,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Touro University Worldwide generally make around $53,988. That is a strong return on a $32,289 median debt.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center placed #22 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,214, with out-of-state students paying around $22,514. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center generally make around $76,328. That is a strong return on a $24,889 median debt.
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #23 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,648. Students borrow a median of $44,811 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $40,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Arkansas placed #24 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $25,750. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $44,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
American Intercontinental University Online landed the #25 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Chandler. In-state tuition and fees average $12,397. Students borrow a median of $39,107 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $43,008 early in their careers. Set against $39,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in substance abuse/addiction counseling:
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), 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 20 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.
