Are you considering becoming an addiction counselor? Substance abuse counseling may be a good career choice if you are interested in helping people who suffer from drug and/or alcohol dependencies. Those who enter this field typically enjoy several benefits, including sustained job security and opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.
Addiction counselors primarily serve as advocates and strive to help clients manage the physical and psychological difficulties that often accompany addictions. It’s important to know, however, that they cannot prescribe medications to patients. Most work in individual and family service centers, hospitals, or residential substance abuse facilities. They typically meet with anyone who struggles with the use and abuse of one or more substances such as alcohol, narcotics, prescription medications, and other drugs. This means professionals are likely to counsel a wide variety of demographics, from teenagers to adults, as well as veterans and people with disabilities. You can, however, choose to specialize in the treatment of a specific population.
If you are interested in pursuing this as a career, finding an affordable addiction counseling program should be a top priority. Professionals in this field will need some level of higher education to qualify for employment.
Top 50 Affordable Addiction Counseling Colleges and Universities
1
William & Mary
Score: 79.94
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,040
- Out-of-State:$49,412
- Net Price: $25,688
- Acceptance Rate: 33%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 9,654
- Undergrad Students: 6,797
- Graduate Students: 2,857
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
2
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Score: 79.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,488
- Out-of-State:$36,402
- Net Price: $16,018
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 54,955
- Undergrad Students: 39,248
- Graduate Students: 15,707
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
3
Ohio State University
Score: 78.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,859
- Out-of-State:$38,365
- Net Price: $19,582
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Total Enrollment: 60,540
- Undergrad Students: 46,123
- Graduate Students: 14,417
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
4
California State University-Fullerton
Score: 78.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State:$18,953
- Net Price: $7,925
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 40,386
- Undergrad Students: 35,432
- Graduate Students: 4,954
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
5
University of Detroit Mercy
Score: 75.65
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,300
- Out-of-State:$32,300
- Net Price: $18,197
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 5,360
- Undergrad Students: 3,156
- Graduate Students: 2,204
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
6
University of St. Francis
Score: 75.53
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,000
- Out-of-State:$37,000
- Net Price: $18,560
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 3,297
- Undergrad Students: 1,414
- Graduate Students: 1,883
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
7
Regis College
Score: 73.46
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,770
- Out-of-State:$47,770
- Net Price: $30,014
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 3,230
- Undergrad Students: 1,121
- Graduate Students: 2,109
- Grads Salary: $100,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
8
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Score: 72.33
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,214
- Out-of-State:$21,876
- Net Price: $13,951
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 29,551
- Undergrad Students: 23,461
- Graduate Students: 6,090
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
9
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Score: 70.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,896
- Out-of-State:$33,751
- Net Price: $16,926
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 33,403
- Undergrad Students: 25,777
- Graduate Students: 7,626
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
10
West Virginia University
Score: 70.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,648
- Out-of-State:$27,360
- Net Price: $12,202
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 24,741
- Undergrad Students: 19,059
- Graduate Students: 5,682
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
11
Texas Tech University
Score: 70.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,852
- Out-of-State:$24,451
- Net Price: $17,896
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 40,378
- Undergrad Students: 32,579
- Graduate Students: 7,799
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 21:1
12
University of Arkansas
Score: 70.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,748
- Out-of-State:$28,772
- Net Price: $16,208
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 30,936
- Undergrad Students: 26,269
- Graduate Students: 4,667
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
13
University of Cincinnati
Score: 69.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,570
- Out-of-State:$30,582
- Net Price: $20,149
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 41,155
- Undergrad Students: 29,663
- Graduate Students: 11,492
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
14
Montclair State University
Score: 69.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,766
- Out-of-State:$24,126
- Net Price: $13,742
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 21,784
- Undergrad Students: 17,290
- Graduate Students: 4,494
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
15
University of Mary
Score: 69.2
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,468
- Out-of-State:$21,468
- Net Price: $18,369
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,652
- Undergrad Students: 2,506
- Graduate Students: 1,146
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
16
Northern Kentucky University
Score: 69.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,896
- Out-of-State:$21,480
- Net Price: $7,259
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 15,801
- Undergrad Students: 10,776
- Graduate Students: 5,025
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
17
Worcester State University
Score: 68.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,286
- Out-of-State:$17,366
- Net Price: $14,435
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 5,311
- Undergrad Students: 4,478
- Graduate Students: 833
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
18
Oakland University
Score: 68.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,694
- Out-of-State:$23,188
- Net Price: $15,161
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 16,108
- Undergrad Students: 12,841
- Graduate Students: 3,267
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
19
University of North Dakota
Score: 68.32
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,951
- Out-of-State:$15,570
- Net Price: $17,359
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 13,876
- Undergrad Students: 9,928
- Graduate Students: 3,948
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
20
Adelphi University
Score: 67.91
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,290
- Out-of-State:$47,290
- Net Price: $26,953
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 7,252
- Undergrad Students: 5,055
- Graduate Students: 2,197
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
21
Central Michigan University
Score: 67.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,190
- Out-of-State:$14,190
- Net Price: $15,605
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 14,557
- Undergrad Students: 10,401
- Graduate Students: 4,156
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
22
Indiana Wesleyan University
Score: 67.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $31,168
- Out-of-State:$31,168
- Net Price: $21,755
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 2,603
- Undergrad Students: 2,236
- Graduate Students: 367
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
23
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Score: 67.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,315
- Out-of-State:$17,274
- Net Price: $15,595
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 6,486
- Undergrad Students: 6,028
- Graduate Students: 458
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
24
Winston-Salem State University
Score: 67.43
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,735
- Out-of-State:$17,391
- Net Price: $14,097
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 5,004
- Undergrad Students: 4,513
- Graduate Students: 491
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
25
Kean University
Score: 67.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,426
- Out-of-State:$21,076
- Net Price: $10,747
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 12,884
- Undergrad Students: 10,845
- Graduate Students: 2,039
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
26
Rivier University
Score: 66.89
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,791
- Out-of-State:$37,791
- Net Price: $28,983
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 2,551
- Undergrad Students: 1,340
- Graduate Students: 1,211
- Grads Salary: $90,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
27
Carlow University
Score: 66.52
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $34,502
- Out-of-State:$34,502
- Net Price: $17,437
- Acceptance Rate: 93%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 2,104
- Undergrad Students: 1,247
- Graduate Students: 857
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
28
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Score: 66.47
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,859
- Out-of-State:$19,939
- Net Price: $8,105
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 31,559
- Undergrad Students: 26,434
- Graduate Students: 5,125
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
29
Springfield College
Score: 66.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,707
- Out-of-State:$43,707
- Net Price: $27,930
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 2,921
- Undergrad Students: 2,005
- Graduate Students: 916
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
30
Midwestern State University
Score: 66.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,310
- Out-of-State:$12,260
- Net Price: $11,361
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 5,784
- Undergrad Students: 4,818
- Graduate Students: 966
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
31
University of Jamestown
Score: 66.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,820
- Out-of-State:$24,820
- Net Price: $19,950
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 1,242
- Undergrad Students: 978
- Graduate Students: 264
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
32
University of North Texas
Score: 66.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,164
- Out-of-State:$21,244
- Net Price: $15,283
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 44,767
- Undergrad Students: 33,023
- Graduate Students: 11,744
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 23:1
33
Virginia Commonwealth University
Score: 66.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,458
- Out-of-State:$39,042
- Net Price: $21,294
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 28,082
- Undergrad Students: 20,958
- Graduate Students: 7,124
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
34
SUNY Brockport
Score: 65.75
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,678
- Out-of-State:$15,748
- Net Price: $16,261
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 6,424
- Undergrad Students: 5,149
- Graduate Students: 1,275
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
35
Marshall University
Score: 65.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,942
- Out-of-State:$20,294
- Net Price: $8,756
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 10,691
- Undergrad Students: 7,952
- Graduate Students: 2,739
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
36
Boise State University
Score: 65.5
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,782
- Out-of-State:$26,976
- Net Price: $17,724
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 26,115
- Undergrad Students: 22,922
- Graduate Students: 3,193
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
37
Youngstown State University
Score: 65.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,791
- Out-of-State:$11,151
- Net Price: $11,900
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 11,071
- Undergrad Students: 8,822
- Graduate Students: 2,249
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
38
Thomas University
Score: 65.28
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,640
- Out-of-State:$11,640
- Net Price: $16,308
- Acceptance Rate: 46%
- Retention Rate: 36%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 1,531
- Undergrad Students: 793
- Graduate Students: 738
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
39
Lake Superior State University
Score: 65.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,266
- Out-of-State:$14,266
- Net Price: $14,336
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 1,655
- Undergrad Students: 1,655
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
40
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Score: 65.1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,190
- Out-of-State:$21,290
- Net Price: $11,353
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 8,398
- Undergrad Students: 6,552
- Graduate Students: 1,846
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
41
Newman University
Score: 65.06
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,500
- Out-of-State:$35,500
- Net Price: $18,792
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 2,848
- Undergrad Students: 2,444
- Graduate Students: 404
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
42
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Score: 64.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,142
- Out-of-State:$18,706
- Net Price: $15,510
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 7,234
- Undergrad Students: 6,254
- Graduate Students: 980
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
43
Wichita State University
Score: 64.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,322
- Out-of-State:$19,240
- Net Price: $13,553
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 16,216
- Undergrad Students: 12,049
- Graduate Students: 4,167
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
44
Washburn University
Score: 64.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,578
- Out-of-State:$20,582
- Net Price: $12,473
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 5,460
- Undergrad Students: 4,733
- Graduate Students: 727
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
45
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Score: 64.21
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,336
- Out-of-State:$10,336
- Net Price: $17,939
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 4,682
- Undergrad Students: 3,729
- Graduate Students: 953
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
46
Frostburg State University
Score: 64.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,998
- Out-of-State:$25,180
- Net Price: $16,114
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 4,067
- Undergrad Students: 3,263
- Graduate Students: 804
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
47
Misericordia University
Score: 64.1
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,370
- Out-of-State:$38,370
- Net Price: $27,033
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 2,242
- Undergrad Students: 1,776
- Graduate Students: 466
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
48
Nova Southeastern University
Score: 64.09
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $37,080
- Out-of-State:$37,080
- Net Price: $29,589
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 20,948
- Undergrad Students: 6,971
- Graduate Students: 13,977
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
49
Ashland University
Score: 63.99
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $28,910
- Out-of-State:$28,910
- Net Price: $20,342
- Acceptance Rate: 72%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 4,174
- Undergrad Students: 3,083
- Graduate Students: 1,091
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
50
Duquesne University
Score: 63.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,146
- Out-of-State:$47,146
- Net Price: $33,919
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 8,107
- Undergrad Students: 5,095
- Graduate Students: 3,012
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
