2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the Far Western Region

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong substance abuse/addiction counseling education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 89 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools.
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2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the Far Western 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
Leading the list is Mt San Antonio College, our #1 best value for substance abuse/addiction counseling in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
San Diego City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $9,514. 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.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Fresno City 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 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. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #5 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clover Park Technical College placed #6 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $15,154. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College placed #7 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Yuba College placed #8 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $89,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Redwoods earned the #9 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Allan Hancock College earned the #10 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
Peninsula College came in at #11 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. Students borrow a median of $12,730 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $51,243. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Porterville College landed the #12 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the suburb of Porterville, Porterville College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,328.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology landed the #13 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #14 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College landed the #15 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Palomar College came in at #16 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Diablo Valley College earned the #17 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling 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. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skagit Valley College came in at #18 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $34,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $20,414 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $45,849. Set against $20,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #20 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Olympic College earned the #21 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,740. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $57,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Bernardino Valley College came in at #22 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $19,500. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $69,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Centralia College landed the #23 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Located in the town of Centralia, Centralia College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,651. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Centralia College earn a median of $77,740 early in their careers.
Los Angeles City College earned the #24 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Los Angeles City College is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $10,763. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $83,699. Set against $10,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College placed #25 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $6,382. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s substance abuse/addiction counseling value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.