by our College Data Analytics Team
[Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/substance-abuse-addiction-counseling/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for substance abuse/addiction counseling students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in substance abuse/addiction counseling, balancing cost against outcomes.
Tohono Oodham Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools in Arizona. Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Sells. Students from in state pay about $932 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,229.
A rank of #2 makes Mohave Community College one of the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 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 Rio Salado College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at American Intercontinental University Online, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,397. Students borrow a median of $39,107 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $43,008. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Canyon University earned it the #5 place for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $39,560 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $47,062. That is a strong return on a $39,560 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.