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2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Associate’s Degree Schools

44 Colleges in the United States
$14,934 Avg Student Debt
$41,270 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Associate's Degree Badge [Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/substance-abuse-addiction-counseling/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the United States

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

1

Mt San Antonio College tops our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $59,278. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes San Diego City College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.

4
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.

5
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

A rank of #5 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,385. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $48,218. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Alvin Community College came in at #6 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $8,600. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $23,530. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Suffolk County Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,246. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Northern Essex Community College placed #9 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,200. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $27,799. That is a strong return on a $11,200 median debt.

10

Central Piedmont Community College placed #10 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $31,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College placed #12 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.

13
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College earned the #13 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.

14
Peninsula College crest
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA

Peninsula College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,270. Students borrow a median of $12,730 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Peninsula College generally make around $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College earned the #15 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Students borrow a median of $12,999 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $39,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,999 median debt.

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San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #17 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $53,048. That is a strong return on a $14,699 median debt.

18
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College came in at #18 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College landed the #19 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $9,205. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Sinclair Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $18,043. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $40,665. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Miami Dade College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,967. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $40,267. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.

22

Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #22 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Tarrant County College District landed the #23 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $25,948. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $25,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College earned the #24 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $14,056. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $34,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Cape Fear Community College earned the #25 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.

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:

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28
29
30
31
32
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
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Kilgore College
Kilgore, TX
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA
49
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL
50

Other Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Degree Levels

Explore the best-value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
Bachelor's Degrees in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
Master's Degrees in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 44 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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