2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the Southwest 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for substance abuse/addiction counseling students.
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2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the Southwest 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 El Centro College, our #1 best value for substance abuse/addiction counseling in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $22,011. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $41,295. Set against $22,011 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Alvin Community College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tohono Oodham Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $932 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $39,229 ten years out.
San Antonio College came in at #4 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #5 spot this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. 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. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $25,948 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $19,185. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $31,821. Set against $19,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College came in at #7 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,290. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #8 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Mclennan Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $14,073. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $40,499. Set against $14,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #10 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College came in at #11 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,256 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $44,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohave Community College earned the #12 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $14,766 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $54,785. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #13 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Lee College came in at #14 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $53,448. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Salado College landed the #15 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Fe Community College earned the #16 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,851, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $51,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,267 median debt.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #17 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
American Intercontinental University Online placed #18 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,397 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $39,107 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $43,008 early in their careers. Set against $39,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #19 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $34,634 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $58,265. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Grand Canyon University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $39,560. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $47,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Edwards University came in at #21 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,384. Students borrow a median of $25,059 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $39,898 early in their careers. Set against $25,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
