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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Associate’s Degree Schools

44 Colleges in the United States
1,028 Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Degrees Awarded
$44,060 Avg Early-Career Salary

Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their substance abuse/addiction counseling programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 460 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for substance abuse/addiction counseling students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling in the United States

These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

1
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Our analysis ranked Cuesta College the best school in the country for a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Cuesta College awarded about 11 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for Cuesta College

2

Mt San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 19 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $59,278. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at Mt San Antonio College

3

Seattle Community College Central Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, ranking #3. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Community College Central Campus awarded about 10 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their substance abuse/addiction counseling degree from Seattle Community College Central Campus earn around $53,048 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Seattle Community College Central Campus

4

A rank of #4 makes Fresno City College one of the top schools for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. There were roughly 16 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Fresno City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the substance abuse/addiction counseling program make about $37,470 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $7,234. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at Fresno City College

5

Cuny Kingsborough Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, ranking #5. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 16 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Kingsborough Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the substance abuse/addiction counseling program make about $31,072 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,939. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Cuny Kingsborough Community College

6

Suffolk County Community College landed the #6 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. There were roughly 18 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete this degree. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for Suffolk County Community College

7

Capital Community College earned the #7 position for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Britain. About 28 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at Capital Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $36,043. Typical student debt for the program is $12,059. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Capital Community College

8

San Joaquin Delta College placed #8 among the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. San Joaquin Delta College awarded about 11 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Typical student debt for the program is $6,382. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for San Joaquin Delta College

9
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. There were roughly 15 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Diablo Valley College

10

San Diego City College placed #10 among the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. There were roughly 15 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at San Diego City College in the most recent data year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete this degree. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for San Diego City College

11

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #11 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. There were roughly 30 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their substance abuse/addiction counseling degree from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn around $25,557 in the first couple years of their career. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,518 in student loans. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

12
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College earned the #12 position for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. About 16 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at Cypress College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Cypress College

13

Madison Area Technical College earned the #13 position for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. This large public university is located in the city of Madison. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 38 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete this degree. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for Madison Area Technical College

14

Portland Community College landed the #14 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 13 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Portland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the substance abuse/addiction counseling program make about $49,580 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete this degree. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at Portland Community College

15

Anne Arundel Community College placed #15 among the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Anne Arundel Community College awarded about 19 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the substance abuse/addiction counseling program make about $39,370 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,832. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Anne Arundel Community College

16
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College placed #16 among the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. About 11 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at Allan Hancock College in the most recent year. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for Allan Hancock College

17

Yakima Valley Community College earned the #17 position for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 13 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Yakima Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Yakima Valley Community College generally make around $49,625. Yakima Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $14,649 in student loans. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for Yakima Valley Community College

18

Spokane Falls Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Spokane Falls Community College awarded about 24 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $45,849 early in their careers. Spokane Falls Community College graduates carry a median of $20,414 in student loans. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Spokane Falls Community College

19
College Of The Desert crest
College Of The Desert
Palm Desert, CA

College Of The Desert came in at #19 for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. College Of The Desert is a large public school located in the city of Palm Desert. There were roughly 10 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Desert in the most recent data year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of College Of The Desert earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,826. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at College Of The Desert

20
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College landed the #20 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 26 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent data year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at El Centro College

21

Central Texas College placed #21 among the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Killeen. About 43 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at Central Texas College in the most recent year. Graduates of the substance abuse/addiction counseling program make about $53,086 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,290. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for Central Texas College

22
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College came in at #22 for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. There were roughly 23 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Oxnard College in the most recent data year. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for Oxnard College

23

Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #23 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. Chippewa Valley Technical College awarded about 11 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the substance abuse/addiction counseling program make about $45,531 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete this degree. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for Chippewa Valley Technical College

24

Wor Wic Community College came in at #24 for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Salisbury. There were roughly 21 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Wor Wic Community College in the most recent data year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Wor Wic Community College earn a median of $51,392 early in their careers. Wor Wic Community College graduates carry a median of $13,995 in student loans. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for Wor Wic Community College

25

Rio Salado College landed the #25 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Rio Salado College awarded about 32 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the substance abuse/addiction counseling program make about $48,564 in their early career. Rio Salado College graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for Rio Salado College

Rest of the Top 50 Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Schools

These schools also placed among the best for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year:

26
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ
27
28
Los Angeles Pierce College crest
Los Angeles Pierce College
Woodland Hills, CA
29
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX
30
31
32
33
34
35
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
36
37
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
38
San Bernardino Valley College crest
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA
39
40
41
42
Peninsula College crest
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA
43
44
45
46
Kilgore College crest
Kilgore College
Kilgore, TX
47
48
49
50

Other Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
Bachelor's Degrees in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
Master's Degrees in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
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View All Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 460 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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