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

20 Colleges in the United States
641 Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling Degrees Awarded
$50,167 Avg Early-Career Salary

Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their substance abuse/addiction counseling programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 460 schools to find the best for substance abuse/addiction counseling students.

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 master’s degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

1
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling. Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Loma Linda University awarded about 15 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Loma Linda University generally make around $58,654. Loma Linda University graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Loma Linda University

2

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling, landing the #2 spot this year. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center awarded about 14 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center generally make around $76,328. Students borrow a median of $24,889 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

3

Students looking for a strong substance abuse/addiction counseling program will find one at East Carolina University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 19 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their substance abuse/addiction counseling degree from East Carolina University earn around $46,547 in the first couple years of their career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for East Carolina University

4

Students looking for a strong substance abuse/addiction counseling program will find one at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota, which ranked #4. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates 66% of students within six years. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 31 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earn a median of $50,065 early in their careers. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

5

A rank of #5 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the top schools for substance abuse/addiction counseling. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 14 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $47,612. Typical student debt for the program is $20,212. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for Florida Atlantic University

6

Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #6 position for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Collins. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $51,693. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete this degree. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at Colorado State University Fort Collins

7

University Of South Dakota ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. This large public university is located in the town of Vermillion. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 15 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from University Of South Dakota

8

Utah Valley University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. About 40% of students finish within six years. About 28 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at Utah Valley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their substance abuse/addiction counseling degree from Utah Valley University earn around $51,242 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,478. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for Utah Valley University

9

Arizona State University Skysong ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. About 13 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $55,793. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Arizona State University Skysong

10
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University landed the #10 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Capella University graduates 20% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their substance abuse/addiction counseling degree from Capella University earn around $51,715 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete this degree. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for Capella University

11

Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #11 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. About 29 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Graduates of the substance abuse/addiction counseling program make about $46,691 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,269. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at Minnesota State University Mankato

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #12 among the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 43 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the substance abuse/addiction counseling program make about $47,108 in their early career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $53,508 in student loans. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

13

University Of Central Arkansas earned the #13 position for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. This large public university is located in the city of Conway. University Of Central Arkansas graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Arkansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their substance abuse/addiction counseling degree from University Of Central Arkansas earn around $44,513 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Arkansas graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for University Of Central Arkansas

14

Kent State University At Kent ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 26 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their substance abuse/addiction counseling degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $43,393 in the first couple years of their career. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Kent State University At Kent

15

Saint Edwards University came in at #15 for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Edwards University graduates 63% of students within six years. Saint Edwards University awarded about 16 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $39,898 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,059. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at Saint Edwards University

16

Washburn University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 11 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at Washburn University in the most recent year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $52,595 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,063. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for Washburn University

17
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University came in at #17 for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. About 67% of students finish within six years. Liberty University awarded about 35 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,136. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Liberty University

18

Grand Canyon University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand Canyon University awarded about 196 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $48,673. Grand Canyon University graduates carry a median of $39,560 in student loans. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at Grand Canyon University

19

Alvernia University placed #19 among the best substance abuse/addiction counseling schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Reading. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Alvernia University in the most recent data year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Alvernia University earn a median of $41,115 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $54,779. More information about a degree in substance abuse/addiction counseling from Alvernia University

20

Bethel University Minnesota came in at #20 for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Paul. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 16 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $61,465. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $25,639 in student loans. Get the full substance abuse/addiction counseling details for Bethel University Minnesota

21

Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #21 position for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Metropolitan State College Of Denver graduates 31% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 substance abuse/addiction counseling students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State College Of Denver in the most recent data year. Substance Abuse/addiction Counseling graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,861 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,484. Read more about the substance abuse/addiction counseling program at Metropolitan State College Of Denver

22

Metropolitan State University landed the #22 spot for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Metropolitan State University awarded about 18 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their substance abuse/addiction counseling degree from Metropolitan State University earn around $56,516 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $42,688. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for Metropolitan State University

23
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University came in at #23 for substance abuse/addiction counseling this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. About 11 substance abuse/addiction counseling degrees were awarded at Governors State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, substance abuse/addiction counseling degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $44,369. Governors State University graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. See the full substance abuse/addiction counseling program report for Governors State University

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
Associate's Degrees in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
Bachelor'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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, 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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