2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 65 schools to find the best return on investment for substance abuse/addiction counseling students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the Southeast 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
Leading the list is St Petersburg College, our #1 best value for substance abuse/addiction counseling in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,385. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $48,218 early in their careers. Set against $24,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nash Community College earned it the #3 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Students borrow a median of $16,969 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $45,512. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Patrick Henry Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Students borrow a median of $11,235 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $33,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Community College Sylva earned it the #5 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. 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.
Gaston College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $10,915. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
Miami Dade College came in at #7 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. 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, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Western Piedmont Community College landed the #8 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Morganton. Students from in state pay about $2,650 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,999 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Western Piedmont Community College generally make around $46,883. That is a strong return on a $11,999 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Midlands Technical College earned the #10 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $39,610. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Isothermal Community College earned the #11 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,030, compared with $6,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Isothermal Community College generally make around $47,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richmond Community College landed the #12 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,407 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $46,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $30,386. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,621 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,621 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #15 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $47,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Edison State College placed #16 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Edison State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,401, with out-of-state students paying around $12,979. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Edison State College earn a median of $52,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.
Randolph Community College earned the #17 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Asheboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,416, while out-of-state students pay about $8,176. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $32,198.
Pamlico Community College landed the #18 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Pamlico Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Grantsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $3,712, with out-of-state students paying around $12,928. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,005 ten years after entry.
Palm Beach State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,050, with out-of-state students paying around $10,910. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,505 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $32,260. Set against $15,505 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #20 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $32,277. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock placed #21 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Students borrow a median of $16,252 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $42,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #22 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling 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. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $22,750. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $21,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Georgia placed #23 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $20,187 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $50,127 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Memphis earned the #24 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Lindsey Wilson College earned the #25 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,808. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $24,119 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $37,808. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt.
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
