Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech's mental health services program graduates earn about $30,000 annually—roughly $3,000 below the national median for similar programs—but before dismissing it, consider the state context. This is actually the only tracked associate's program in this field in Indiana, and graduates carry just $14,133 in debt, nearly $5,000 less than the typical borrower nationally. That means students typically face monthly payments around $140-150, manageable on a $30,000 salary.

The concerning element here is stagnation: earnings barely budge between year one ($29,954) and year four ($30,103). Unlike many healthcare-adjacent fields where experience commands higher pay, this career path appears to plateau quickly. The modest starting salary becomes your long-term salary. That said, the debt load is proportionate—the 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio sits comfortably below the "warning zone" of 1.0, and most graduates should be able to pay off their loans within ten years.

For families prioritizing affordable entry into social services work, this program delivers exactly that: quick credentialing with minimal debt. Just understand you're trading earning potential for accessibility. If your child is passionate about mental health support roles and values helping others over maximizing income, the low debt makes this viable. If they're hoping this associate's degree will lead to higher-paying positions later, they'll likely need additional education to see meaningful salary growth.