5 Best Online Bachelors in Addiction and Recovery

The psychology job market is growing faster than the national average. With one of the Best Online Addiction and Recovery Degrees you can make a difference.

Updated October 12, 2022 · 2 Min Read

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An online bachelor’s in addiction and recovery can be the beginning of a path towards making a difference in the world. Degrees in addiction and recovery can lead to a career as an addictions counselor, a mental health specialist, and more. Often this is a psychology degree with a specialization or concentration in substance abuse or addiction studies. This makes it a versatile degree perfect for a rapidly growing market.

The median salary for addictions counselors is just under $40,000, according to PayScale. The United States Department of Labor says jobs in abuse counseling and mental health are expected to continue to grow, much faster than the national average.

Online degrees make it possible to get a degree in addiction and recovery on your schedule, whether you are balancing a career or family or other obligations. Here are 10 of the best schools to get an online bachelor’s in addiction and recovery.

Methodology

Best College Reviews provides degree rankings, such as the Best Online Bachelor's in Addiction and Recovery Degrees, from carefully researched data sets published from government and non-profit organizations across the United States. Five primary factors affect how we rank degrees:

25% – Student Satisfaction

30% – Earning Potential

15% – Retention Data

20% – Affordability

10% – Acceptance Rates

For an in-depth breakdown of how we calculate each ranking, check out our Methodology page.

Featured Online Schools

#1 Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies

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Another school to make it onNiche’slist of Best Online Colleges in America, Northwestern State University of Louisiana was ranked #19. It was also named one of the Most Affordable Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degrees byOnlineU. Finally,U.S. News and World Reportlisted it #107 Regional Best Universities South. As part of the Addiction Studies program, NSU focuses on teaching students to collect, interpret, and analyze data. It also encourages communication and leadership skills, and its students graduate with a greater understanding of human behavior. Among the many courses available to students are “Addiction Counseling Skills” and “Social Psychology.”

Tuition: $11,567

#2 University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio

Online Bachelor’s in Substance Abuse Counseling

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The University of Cincinnati’s Substance Abuse Counseling program has start dates in the summer, fall, and spring. This allows students to join at a time convenient for them and gives them the flexibility they need. The program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and meets the academic requirements for licensure under the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. The program includes courses such as “Care Management” and “Substance Abuse Counseling for Families and Other Relationships.” UC was named the #35 Best Online Bachelor’s Program byU.S. News and World Report, and #67 Top Public University in America byNiche.

Tuition: $19,978

#3 University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

Online Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies

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The University of South Dakota gives students the skills they need to excel. The program teaches students the process of addiction, moving through the steps of alcohol and drug prevention, education, counseling, and treatment. The program is founded on science-based addiction education. USD’s Online Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies is accredited through the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission. It meets the licensing requirements of South Dakota. USD was named #129 Top Public Schools byU.S. News and World Reportand was in the top 500 ofForbes’ Top Colleges list.

Tuition: $16,502

#4 Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

Marion, Indiana

B.S. in Addictions Counseling

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One of the highlights of IWU’s B.S. in Addictions Counseling is the flexibility it offers online students. The program works with individual students to ensure they meet the academic licensure requirements in their state. The online courses are paired with an on-site practicum, which can take place at an agreed upon location. Students can take classes such as “Group and Family Counseling” and “Addictions Theory” in this 22-month program. IWU was ranked byU.S. News and World Reportas #32 Regional Universities Midwest and byNicheas #65 Best Christian Colleges in America.

Tuition: $19,519

#5 University of Maine at Augusta

Augusta, Maine

Bachelor of Science in Mental Health & Human Services

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The Bachelor of Science in Mental Health & Human Services at the University of Maine at Augusta offers three pathways of study. Students can choose to take the generalist pathway, or they can focus on Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation, Addiction Counseling, or Child and Family Services. Each concentration includes a capstone internship to ensure students get real-world experience. Graduation from UMA meets the academic requirement for the Licensed Social Worker-Conditional credential. The program adapts to students needs and works with their schedule. UMA was named #94 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs byU.S. News and World Report.

Tuition: $8,627

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