2027 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the The Plains States 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 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the The Plains States 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
Northeast Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $22,940. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $25,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Minnesota West Community And Technical College, which ranked #3. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $13,946. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. Set against $17,029 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned it the #5 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Century College placed #6 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Century College generally make around $47,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,054 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,560 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $33,881. Set against $26,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College came in at #8 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,773 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College earn a median of $46,247 early in their careers. Set against $21,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University placed #9 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $31,171. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $46,597. That is a strong return on a $31,171 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $36,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $49,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bemidji State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #12 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. 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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University placed #13 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $31,063 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $45,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,063 median debt.
Sinte Gleska University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,714 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,948 ten years after entry.
City Vision University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, City Vision University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,123.
Winona State University landed the #16 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,551. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $53,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Metropolitan State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $42,688. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $56,516. Set against $42,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Mary earned the #18 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $65,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University came in at #19 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $35,998. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $47,787. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #20 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $27,269 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $46,691. Set against $27,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota landed the #21 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $44,527 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #22 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,226 in tuition and fees. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $61,465 early in their careers. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Walden University earned the #23 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,067. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $49,361. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $65,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Narrow Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools by State
More Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Rankings
View All Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.