2027 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 37 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 Southeast Region
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
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among substance abuse/addiction counseling schools in the Southeast Region. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,385. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Pamlico Community College, which ranked #2. Pamlico Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Grantsboro. Students from in state pay about $3,712 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,928 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,005.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #3. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,861. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richmond Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Midlands Technical College earned it the #5 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $39,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,967. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. Set against $11,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #7 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $36,418. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College earned the #8 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $30,386. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College placed #9 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
Edison State College placed #10 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $52,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #11 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $29,501. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #12 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $47,612. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Palm Beach State College earned the #13 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,505 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $32,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #14 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $34,621 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Set against $34,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $14,413. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #16 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $12,388. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #17 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Isothermal Community College earned the #18 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. Students from in state pay about $2,030 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,638. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $47,389. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
University Of Georgia came in at #19 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,187 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $50,127. That is a strong return on a $20,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $23,399. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Memphis earned the #21 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. That is a strong return on a $26,315 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Huntington Junior College came in at #22 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Huntington Junior College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050. Students borrow a median of $25,346 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Huntington Junior College earn a median of $26,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,346 median debt.
Southern University At Shreveport earned the #23 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Southern University At Shreveport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,958. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $22,135. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Southern University At Shreveport earn a median of $40,136 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Broward College placed #24 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,830, compared with $8,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $13,110. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $51,328. That is a strong return on a $13,110 median debt.
University Of The Cumberlands placed #25 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $21,137. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Rest of the Top 37 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 list is compiled 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
