2026 Best Value Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools in the The Plains States 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.
College Factual analyzed 37 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 The Plains States 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
Northeast Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $11,937. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $40,568. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,940 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $25,644. That is a strong return on a $22,940 median debt.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #3 spot this year. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $17,029. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Sinte Gleska University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714. Graduates go on to earn a median of $20,948 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in substance abuse/addiction counseling will find it at Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Cloquet, Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $21,773 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $46,247. Set against $21,773 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn University placed #6 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $31,063 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $45,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $36,302. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $49,629. That is a strong return on a $36,302 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #8 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $61,488 early in their careers. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Bemidji State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $25,819. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $48,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
City Vision University landed the #10 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. City Vision University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,600. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,123.
Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies placed #11 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054. Students borrow a median of $26,305 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Drury University College Of Continuing Professional Studies generally make around $33,880. Set against $26,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Winona State University landed the #12 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates is $24,551. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $53,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Capella University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $47,787. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
University Of Mary earned the #14 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $26,983 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $65,565. Set against $26,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #15 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,269 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $46,691 early in their careers. Set against $27,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota earned the #16 position for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $44,527. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University came in at #17 for value in substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates carry a median of $42,688 in student loans. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $56,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $50,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #19 among the best values for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Students borrow a median of $25,639 to complete the substance abuse/addiction counseling program here. Early-career substance abuse/addiction counseling graduates make about $61,465. That is a strong return on a $25,639 median debt. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
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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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
