Best Substance Abuse Counseling Schools in Washington (2026)

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Washington Substance Abuse Counseling At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Substance Abuse Counseling Salary$74,285
Salary OutlookWashington offers competitive wages for substance abuse counseling professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyWashington Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online substance abuse counseling degree in Washington offers a flexible path into substance abuse counseling careers. Washington 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, Washington students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Substance Abuse Counseling Schools in Washington

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

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

Skagit Valley College

Mount Vernon, WA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
72.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 42%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $43,505
Avg net price $6,064/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 40

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Grays Harbor College

Aberdeen, WA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
71.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 35%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $40,865
Avg net price $4,783/yr
Tuition
In‑state$5,593
Out‑of‑state$12,553
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 26

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Kirkland, WA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
68.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 38%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $50,669
Avg net price $6,817/yr
Tuition
In‑state$5,997
Out‑of‑state$12,062
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 47

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#5

Centralia College

Centralia, WA
  • 4 year
56.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 46%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $43,140
Avg net price $9,862/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 26

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Yakima Valley College

Yakima, WA
  • 4 year
55.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 50%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $43,499
Avg net price $11,843/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 43

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

Wenatchee Valley College

Wenatchee, WA
  • 4 year
54.1 BOC Score
Graduation rate 49%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $41,127
Avg net price $9,722/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 26

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Washington

Substance Abuse Counseling professionals in Washington 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 Washington.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Washington)
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor$68,910
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$70,460
Social and Community Service Manager$103,000
Social and Human Service Assistant$54,770

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


Why Pursue an Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degree in Washington?

Choosing a program in Washington can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Washington 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 Washington economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online substance abuse counseling programs in Washington 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 Washington compare to other states?

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

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

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


Online Substance Abuse Counseling Programs by City in Washington

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Aberdeen · Auburn · Bainbridge Island · Battle Ground · Bellevue · Bellingham · Bonney Lake · Bothell · Bremerton · Burien · Camas · Centralia · Covington · Des Moines · Edmonds · Ellensburg · Everett · Federal Way · Issaquah · Kenmore · Kennewick · Kent · Kirkland · Lacey · Lake Stevens · Lakewood · Longview · Lynnwood · Maple Valley · Marysville · Mercer Island · Mill Creek · Moses Lake · Mount Vernon · Mountlake Terrace · Mukilteo · Oak Harbor · Olympia · Pasco · Port Angeles · Pullman · Puyallup · Redmond · Renton · Richland · Sammamish · SeaTac · Seattle · Sequim · Shoreline · Snoqualmie · Spokane · Spokane Valley · Tacoma · Tukwila · Tumwater · University Place · Vancouver · Walla Walla · Wenatchee · Yakima


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