Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at InterCoast Colleges-Riverside

InterCoast Colleges-Riverside's mental health certificate lands in an awkward spot: while it beats the national median by $5,700, it sits at just the 25th percentile among California programs—meaning three-quarters of similar programs in the state deliver higher earnings. The debt load of $14,267 is manageable (about 4.5 months of first-year income), but earnings actually drop 8% between years one and four, settling at $35,063. For comparison, nearby community colleges like Mt San Antonio produce graduates earning $59,278, while Coalinga grads top $71,000.

The disconnect between this program's national ranking (62nd percentile) and state ranking (25th percentile) reflects California's higher cost of living and wage floors—what works nationally doesn't necessarily cut it here. With 59% of students receiving Pell grants, many families are using this as an affordable entry point to mental health work, but the declining earnings trajectory suggests limited advancement without additional credentials.

The bottom line: if your child is considering this program, compare it directly to certificate offerings at California community colleges, which often deliver similar credentials at lower cost with better earnings outcomes. This isn't a poor investment by national standards, but California offers substantially better options for entering mental health services work.