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Best Substance Abuse Counseling Schools in Pennsylvania (2026)
Updated August 11, 2026BLS dataCollege ScorecardOn this page
Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Counseling At a Glance
Metric
Detail
Median Substance Abuse Counseling Salary
$54,908
Salary Outlook
Pennsylvania offers competitive wages for substance abuse counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body
Pennsylvania Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required
Institutional + Regional
Earning an online substance abuse counseling degree in Pennsylvania offers a flexible path into substance abuse counseling careers. Pennsylvania 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, Pennsylvania students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.
Online Substance Abuse Counseling Schools in Pennsylvania
The following schools offer accredited online substance abuse counseling programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Pennsylvania.
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:
BOCSCORE
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.
BOC
Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.
Source:Accreditor: Middle States Commission on Higher Education · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Career Outlook and Salaries in Pennsylvania
Substance Abuse Counseling professionals in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.
Occupation
Median Annual Salary (Pennsylvania)
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor
$52,010
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
$48,290
Social and Community Service Manager
$75,280
Social and Human Service Assistant
$44,050
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Why Pursue an Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degree in Pennsylvania?
Choosing a program in Pennsylvania can provide several advantages:
In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania economy and job market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online substance abuse counseling programs in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania compare to other states?
Pennsylvania offers competitive wages for substance abuse counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Pennsylvania a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.
What is the primary licensing board for substance abuse counseling in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Pennsylvania. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.
