Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Ashford University

Ashford University graduates start near the national median but face a troubling pattern: earnings drop 11% by year four, falling to $35,389—well below what peers nationally are making. While this program ranks in the 60th percentile among California's limited options for this degree, that's not the reassurance it might seem when the state median sits at just $33,452. The real California benchmark is likely Cal State Fresno, where graduates earn less initially but in a more traditional university setting.

The debt situation demands serious attention. At $48,372, graduates carry nearly 80% more debt than the national median and 50% more than other California programs. This lands the program in the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden—meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with less debt. Even with first-year earnings close to average, the 1.22 debt-to-earnings ratio becomes increasingly uncomfortable as earnings decline rather than grow.

For a field focused on helping others, this program saddles graduates with financial stress that contradicts their career path. The combination of above-average debt, below-average final earnings, and backward earnings trajectory makes this a difficult program to recommend. Families should explore alternatives, particularly California State University options where debt loads are typically more manageable, even if starting salaries appear lower on paper.