Substance Abuse Counseling: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Substance Abuse Counseling is a specialized field dedicated to supporting individuals and communities affected by addiction through evidence-based interventions, prevention strategies, and therapeutic guidance. This program equips learners with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to assess, treat, and advocate for clients navigating substance use disorders.
- Psychology of Addiction: Explores the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns underlying substance dependence, including the development and progression of addictive behaviors.
- Pharmacology of Abused Substances: Examines the physiological effects, mechanisms of action, and health impacts of commonly abused drugs and alcohol.
- Substance Abuse Treatment Modalities: Covers a range of therapeutic approaches, from cognitive-behavioral therapy to motivational interviewing and 12-step facilitation.
- Crisis Intervention Techniques: Trains students in immediate response strategies for acute substance-related emergencies and high-risk situations.
- Group Dynamics and Counseling: Focuses on facilitating effective group therapy sessions, managing interpersonal interactions, and fostering peer support environments.
- Substance Abuse Identification Methods: Teaches tools and assessments used to detect early signs of substance misuse and evaluate severity of dependency.
- Prevention and Treatment Resource Navigation: Provides insight into community-based programs, rehabilitation centers, support networks, and public health initiatives.
- Treatment Evaluation and Outcome Measurement: Introduces methods for assessing the effectiveness of treatment plans and tracking client progress over time.
- Professional Ethics and Standards: Reinforces the importance of confidentiality, informed consent, cultural competence, and adherence to regulatory frameworks.
- Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Reviews state and federal laws governing substance abuse treatment, licensing requirements, and client rights.
Substance Abuse Counseling Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Substance Abuse Counseling Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Substance Abuse Counseling degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 229,720 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Substance Abuse Counseling Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $178,830 in Arkansas—a 272% difference. The highest-paying states include Arkansas, District of Columbia, and Utah. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 229,720 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Substance Abuse Counseling by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Substance Abuse Counseling programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Substance Abuse Counseling is found at Sinclair Community College (351 graduates), Grand Canyon University (GCU) (330 graduates), Rio Salado College (165 graduates), Palo Verde College (PVC) (154 graduates), and InterCoast Colleges, West Covina (145 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 4,496 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
351 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
330 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
| Rio Salado College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
165 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
| Palo Verde College (PVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
154 | Blythe, California | Public | paloverde.edu |
| InterCoast Colleges |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
145 | West Covina, California | Private | intercoast.edu |
| East Los Angeles College (ELAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
138 | Monterey Park, California | Public | elac.edu |
| Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
135 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ccbcmd.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
|
120 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| Peninsula College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
96 | Port Angeles, Washington | Public | pencol.edu |
| Allan Hancock College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
94 | Santa Maria, California | Public | hancockcollege.edu |
| Oxnard College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
86 | Oxnard, California | Public | oxnardcollege.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
85 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| Dallas College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
79 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) |
Other Award
|
71 | East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | esu.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
71 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
69 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
57 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| Capella University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
57 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | capella.edu |
| Metropolitan State University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Master's
|
56 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Public | metrostate.edu |
| San Antonio College (SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
51 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
46 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | bccc.edu |
| San Diego City College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
44 | San Diego, California | Public | sdcity.edu |
| Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School |
Master's
|
44 | Center City, Minnesota | Private | hazeldenbettyford.org |
| Ocean County College (OCC) |
Other Award
|
43 | Toms River, New Jersey | Public | ocean.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
43 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Central Texas College (CTC) |
Other Award
|
43 | Killeen, Texas | Public | ctcd.edu |
| Alvin Community College (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
42 | Alvin, Texas | Public | alvincollege.edu |
| Liberty University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
41 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Lindsey Wilson College (LWC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
40 | Columbia, Kentucky | Private | lindsey.edu |
| Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
38 | Arnold, Maryland | Public | aacc.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Other Award
|
38 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
38 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Camden County College (CCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
37 | Blackwood, New Jersey | Public | camdencc.edu |
| McLennan Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
37 | Waco, Texas | Public | mclennan.edu |
| Long Beach City College (LBCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
35 | Long Beach, California | Public | lbcc.edu |
| Columbus State Community College (CSCC) |
Other Award
|
35 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | cscc.edu |
| Cuesta College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
33 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | cuesta.edu |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
33 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
33 | Woodland Hills, California | Public | lapc.edu |
| Delaware Technical Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
32 | Dover, Delaware | Public | dtcc.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| University of South Dakota (USD) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
32 | Vermillion, South Dakota | Public | usd.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
31 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| Beal University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
30 | Bangor, Maine | Private | beal.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
30 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
30 | Rice Lake, Wisconsin | Public | northwoodtech.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
30 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| College of the Desert (COD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
28 | Palm Desert, California | Public | collegeofthedesert.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Other Award
|
28 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| City Vision University (TechMission) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
28 | Kansas City, Missouri | Private | cityvision.edu |
| Union College |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
27 | Barbourville, Kentucky | Private | unionky.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
27 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
26 | San Bernardino, California | Public | valleycollege.edu |
| Minnesota North College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
26 | Hibbing, Minnesota | Public | minnesotanorth.edu |
| Kent State University |
Post-Master's
Other Award
|
26 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
26 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Olympic College (OC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Bremerton, Washington | Public | olympic.edu |
| Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) |
Bachelor's
Residency
Other Award
|
25 | Kirkland, Washington | Public | lwtech.edu |
| Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) |
Associate's
|
24 | Spokane, Washington | Public | sfcc.spokane.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Tarrant County College District (TCCD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | tccd.edu |
| York County Community College (YCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
23 | Wells, Maine | Public | yccc.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
22 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Tohono O'odham Community College (TOCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
22 | Sells, Arizona | Public | tocc.edu |
| Wor-Wic Community College |
Associate's
|
21 | Salisbury, Maryland | Public | worwic.edu |
| Quincy College |
Other Award
|
21 | Quincy, Massachusetts | Public | quincycollege.edu |
| Bemidji State University (BSU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
21 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Public | bemidjistate.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Other Award
|
21 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
20 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Palomar College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
19 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Master's
|
19 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
19 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| Midlands Technical College (MTC) |
Other Award
|
19 | West Columbia, South Carolina | Public | midlandstech.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| San Jacinto Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
19 | Pasadena, Texas | Public | sanjac.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
19 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
18 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| CUNY Kingsborough Community College (KCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
18 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | kbcc.cuny.edu |
| Centralia College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
18 | Centralia, Washington | Public | centralia.edu |
| Suffolk County Community College (SUNY) |
Associate's
|
18 | Selden, New York | Public | sunysuffolk.edu |
| Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) |
Other Award
|
18 | Cloquet, Minnesota | Public | fdltcc.edu |
| University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
| Los Angeles City College (LACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
17 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Niagara County Community College (SUNY Niagara) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
17 | Sanborn, New York | Public | niagaracc.suny.edu |
| Randolph Community College (RCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Asheboro, North Carolina | Public | randolph.edu |
| Alvernia University |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Reading, Pennsylvania | Private | alvernia.edu |
| Cypress College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Cypress, California | Public | cypresscollege.edu |
| College of the Redwoods (CR) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Eureka, California | Public | redwoods.edu |
| City Colleges of Chicago (KKC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | ccc.edu |
| Bethel University |
Other Award
|
16 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | bethel.edu |
| Erie Community College (SUNY Erie) |
Associate's
|
16 | Buffalo, New York | Public | ecc.edu |
| Pitt Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Winterville, North Carolina | Public | pittcc.edu |
| Lee College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Baytown, Texas | Public | lee.edu |
| Saint Edward's University |
Other Award
|
16 | Austin, Texas | Private | stedwards.edu |
| Klamath Community College (KCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
16 | Klamath Falls, Oregon | Public | klamathcc.edu |
| Imperial Valley College (IVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Imperial, California | Public | imperial.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Substance Abuse Counseling programs
How much can I earn with a Substance Abuse Counseling degree?
Salaries for Substance Abuse Counseling graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Arkansas average $178,830 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 229,720 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Substance Abuse Counseling programs?
Currently 382 accredited institutions offer Substance Abuse Counseling degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Sinclair Community College (351 graduates), Grand Canyon University (GCU) (330 graduates), and Rio Salado College (165 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Substance Abuse Counseling growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 4,108 in 2010 to 6,135 in 2023-24. This represents a 49% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Substance Abuse Counseling degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 229,720 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Health Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Health field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Genetics Technology
A program that prepares individuals to perform analyses of the human genome and chromosomes for the research and diagnosis of genetic diseases and...
Renal Dialysis Technology
A program that prepares individuals to administer hemodialysis treatments to patients with renal failure under the supervision of a nurse or physician. Includes...
Sterile Processing Technology
A program that prepares individuals to clean, sterilize, and assemble surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies for use in operating rooms and other medical...
Clinical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions
Any instructional program in clinical/medical laboratory science and allied professions not listed above.
Pre-Dentistry Studies
A program that prepares individuals for admission to a professional program in dentistry.
Pre-Medicine
A program that prepares individuals for admission to a professional program in medicine, osteopathic medicine, or podiatric medicine.