Best Substance Abuse Counseling Schools in Montana (2026)

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Montana Substance Abuse Counseling At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Substance Abuse Counseling Salary$54,092
Salary OutlookMontana offers competitive wages for substance abuse counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyMontana Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online substance abuse counseling degree in Montana offers a flexible path into substance abuse counseling careers. Montana offers competitive wages for substance abuse counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Montana students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Substance Abuse Counseling Schools in Montana

The following schools offer accredited online substance abuse counseling programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Montana.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

Flathead Valley Community College

Kalispell, MT
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited
54.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 28%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $38,520
Avg net price $8,099/yr
Tuition
In‑state$4,912
Out‑of‑state$11,659
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 51

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of Providence

Great Falls, MT
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited
53.6 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 50%
Graduation rate 36%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $48,296
Avg net price $17,649/yr
Tuition
In‑state$30,448
Out‑of‑state$30,448
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 71%
  • Programs offered: 19

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Dawson Community College

Glendive, MT
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
53.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 37%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $41,951
Avg net price $9,931/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 6

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Salish Kootenai College

Pablo, MT
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
53.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 32%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $32,725
Avg net price $7,945/yr
Tuition
In‑state$4,311
Out‑of‑state$11,583
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 85%
  • Programs offered: 20

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#5

Stone Child College

Box Elder, MT
  • 4 year
34.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 18%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $24,555
Avg net price $4,424/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 100%
  • Programs offered: 12

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Fort Peck Community College

Poplar, MT
  • 2 year
  • Accredited
33.2 BOC Score
Graduation rate 16%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $14,747
Avg net price $400/yr
Tuition
In‑state$2,250
Out‑of‑state$2,250
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 26

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#7

Blackfeet Community College

Browning, MT
  • 4 year
29.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 14%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $22,953
Avg net price $5,410/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 75%
  • Programs offered: 7

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

Aaniiih Nakoda College

Harlem, MT
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
27.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 33%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $30,528
Avg net price $7,887/yr
Tuition
In‑state$3,080
Out‑of‑state$3,080
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 67%
  • Programs offered: 6

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Montana

Substance Abuse Counseling professionals in Montana experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Montana.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Montana)
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$59,000
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$45,160
Social and Community Service Manager$73,640
Social and Human Service Assistant$38,570

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degree in Montana?

Choosing a program in Montana can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Montana offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Montana economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online substance abuse counseling programs in Montana accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Substance Abuse Counseling pay in Montana compare to other states?

Montana offers competitive wages for substance abuse counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Montana a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for substance abuse counseling in Montana?

The Montana Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Montana. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


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