2027 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong substance abuse/addiction counseling education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 86 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools.
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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 Utah Valley University this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Kokomo one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,619. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $46,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $47,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $45,088. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at University Of Nevada Las Vegas, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #6 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $27,089. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $40,578. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #7 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $27,081. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $50,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.
Cameron University landed the #8 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Cameron University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lawton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,095, with out-of-state students paying around $16,515. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $23,967. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $43,122. Set against $23,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #9 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $48,165. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Governors State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $44,369. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Bay Path College placed #11 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. Students borrow a median of $29,811 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $69,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Saint Cloud State University placed #12 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $31,171 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $43,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,171 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #13 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. 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.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #14 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. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $25,347. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University came in at #15 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. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $26,336. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $49,648. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western Michigan University earned the #16 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $27,981. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $29,053. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $76,755. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #18 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, 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. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $61,488 early in their careers. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #19 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,747. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $46,547. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $27,128. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $47,730. That is a strong return on a $27,128 median debt. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #21 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #23 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $20,542. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Sinte Gleska University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Sinte Gleska University is a small public school located in the rural area of Mission. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714. Median earnings reach $20,948 ten years out.
Suny College At Brockport placed #25 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,757. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $39,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year:
Other Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Degree Levels
Explore the best-value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools at other 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. 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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 86 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.
