Best Online Addiction Counseling Degrees of 2025

An online degree in addiction counseling can lead to a variety of careers — or graduate school. Read our guide to learn more about these programs.
Bernard Grant, Ph.D.
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Updated March 13, 2025
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Half of Americans over the age of 12 have used illicit drugs at least once in their lives, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics.

Addiction can affect anyone. Addiction counselors help people who want to overcome their challenges with substance misuse.

To practice, you need at least a bachelor’s degree. In an undergraduate counseling addiction program, you’ll learn theories of addiction and counseling techniques, preparing for graduate school or various roles. Keep reading to learn more about online addiction counseling degrees.

Key Takeaways

  • Pursuing an addiction counseling degree helps students develop treatment planning skills and learn to intervene successfully during crises.
  • Popular careers for graduates include substance use counselor, care coordinator, and recovery coach.
  • Important skills for aspiring addiction counselors include empathy, communication, and problem-solving.
  • Many licensed jobs in the addiction counseling field also require a master’s degree.

Start Your Addiction Counseling Degree Journey Today

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Top Online Addiction Counseling Degrees

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
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How We Rank Schools

To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.

To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:

BestColleges Top-Ranked-2024 Badge
  • Affordability (30%)
  • Student outcomes (30%)
  • Reputation (20%)
  • Diversity and social mobility (20%)

In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.

#1

University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH4 yearCampus + Online

$11,892

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$27,226

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

88%

Acceptance Rate

64%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,224

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,996

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

43,976

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,892

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,226

Cincinnati, OH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,892

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,226

Acceptance Rate

88%

Online Enrollment

64%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,224

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,996

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

43,976

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#2

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD4 yearCampus + Online

$7,773

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,283

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

99%

Acceptance Rate

62%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,123

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,773

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

9,868

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,773

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,283

Vermillion, SD4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,773

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,283

Acceptance Rate

99%

Online Enrollment

62%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,123

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,773

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

9,868

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Alvernia University

Reading, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$41,060

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,060

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

62%

Acceptance Rate

36%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,200

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

2,485

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,060

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,060

Reading, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$41,060

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$41,060

Acceptance Rate

62%

Online Enrollment

36%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,200

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,200

Retention Rate

73%

Students Enrolled

2,485

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Why You Should Get a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling

  • minusLearn New Skills: In your addiction counseling program, you’ll gain valuable skills in critical thinking, active listening, cultural competence, and ethical care.
  • minusAdvance Your Career: A bachelor’s degree can improve your resume, give you a competitive edge in the job market, and increase your earning potential.
  • minusChange Lives: You can help restore the lives of people who want to overcome addiction.
  • minusFind New Opportunities: An online addiction counseling degree can prepare you for roles in various settings, such as addiction clinics, prisons, and mental health centers.

Benefits of Getting a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling Online

  • minusAn online bachelor’s program allows you to study remotely, letting you continue your career or fulfill other obligations.
  • minusYou can save money on transportation and other expenses by enrolling in an online bachelor’s program.
  • minusMany online programs offer self-paced learning, so you can read and view lectures and course materials at your convenience.
  • minusOut of over 100 online psychology, education, and social sciences students and graduates we surveyed, 100% say they would recommend online education to others.
  • minusOver 90% think earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.
  • minusPlus, 85% of these students and graduates say an online learning environment is equal to or better than learning on campus.

How to Choose the Best Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling Program for You

While researching bachelor’s in addiction counseling programs, consider important factors like program cost and length and possible careers you can pursue once you graduate.

How Much Does a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling Cost?

Social Sciences, 2019-2020

In-State

$12,298 Avg. Tuition & Fees

$6,748 Avg. Net Price

Out-of-State

$19,424 Avg. Tuition & Fees

$12,245 Avg. Net Price

Source: NCES PowerStats

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that four-year bachelor’s programs in the social sciences cost around $49,200 for in-state students and around $77,700 for out-of-state students in the 2019-2020 school year.

Fortunately, financial aid, which includes grants and scholarships, can cover some of these costs. With financial aid, these programs cost around $27,000 for in-state students and nearly $49,000 for out-of-state students.

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see how much financial aid you are eligible for and lower the cost of your education.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling?

Typical # of Credits

120 Credits

Typical Program Length

4 Years

Bachelor’s programs require four years of study for full-time students, who need to earn around 120 credits to graduate — or 30 credits per academic year. Part-time students spend even longer in school.

Accelerated programs can shorten your time earning your online addiction counseling degree program. For example, the bachelor of science in addiction counseling program at Beal University lets students finish within 42 months.

Accreditation for a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling

College accreditation ensures your school meets rigorous standards, is legitimate, and provides quality education. While researching programs, look for schools that hold institution accreditation.

Your desired programs should hold programmatic accreditation, specifically from the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC). Contact your school or search the NASAC website to see if your program is accredited.

Where Can You Work With a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the number of substance use counselor jobs will grow by 19% by 2033. Most substance use counselors work in outpatient care centers.

However, you can also work as a community health worker or rehabilitation counselor, earning between $44,000 and $48,200 per year, respectively.

Medical and health services management can be a high-paying career option for addiction counselors; these professionals earn around $110,680 annually.

Licensure requirements for addiction counselors vary between states. Substance use counselors, for example, can earn state certification work without a master’s degree but cannot practice independently. With a master’s degree and licensure, however, substance use counselors can diagnose and treat cooccurring disorders and practice independently.

Popular Addiction Counseling Industries
IndustryMedian Annual Salary (May 2023)Description
Community Health Worker$48,200Helps people access and navigate healthcare and social service systems
Rehabilitation Counselor$44,040Helps people with disabilities manage school, employment, and independent living
Substance Use Counselor$53,710Supports and advises people with addiction and develops treatment plans
Medical and Health Services Manager$110,680Manages healthcare providers’ and organizations’ business activities and ensures they run efficiently
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialist$61,800Rehabilitates people in police custody, probation, and parole, helping them find legal, housing, and substance misuse assistance
Social and Community Service Manager$77,030Advocates for the needs of specific communities, such as homeless and older adults, through surveys, fundraising, development planning, and other strategies
Source: BLS

Is a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling Worth It?

A bachelor’s in addiction counseling degree is worth the effort and resources if you want a helping career. The degree can take four years to complete, longer if you’re a part-time student. And it can be costly.

Keep in mind that the mean starting salary for counseling graduates in the class of 2023 was $38,190, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

However, most related roles pay much more, and with a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue graduate school, increasing your earning potential.

According to the 2024 BestColleges Online Education Trends Report, 92% of online psychology, education, and social sciences students and graduates say earning an online degree has had or will have a positive return on investment.

Education Beyond a Bachelor’s in Addiction Counseling

Once you have a bachelor’s in addiction counseling, you can get a state certificate and work as a substance use counselor. Or, you can pursue a master’s in addiction counseling. Then, you can gain licensure and work as a mental health counselor.

Related roles you could consider include health educator and policy advisor. You could also work as a director of addiction treatment programs.

With a master’s degree, you’ll be eligible to pursue an even higher degree, like a Ph.D. in addiction psychology. This terminal degree can prepare you for careers in research and academia or high-level roles in addiction treatment programs in various settings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Counseling Degrees

Some popular places of employment for addiction counselors include outpatient care centers, psychiatric and substance use hospitals, local governments, nonprofits, and private clinics.

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