Location: Richmond, VA•In-State Tuition: $5,136•Out-of-State Tuition: $11,139
Median Earnings (1yr)
$39,904
86th percentile
95th percentile in Virginia
Median Debt
$32,601
70% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.82 ManageableSample: 18 graduates Limited data

Analysis

J Sargeant Reynolds' mental health services program ranks in the top 5% of similar programs statewide, with first-year earnings of $39,904—more than 50% higher than Virginia's median for this field. Among Virginia community colleges offering this program, Reynolds graduates earn substantially more than peers at Southside ($28,796) and Tidewater ($23,509). The debt load of $32,601 is concerning in absolute terms, but it's actually lower than 95% of programs nationally—most schools leave graduates with far more debt for similar outcomes.

The catch? Earnings drop 17% by year four, falling to $33,018. This likely reflects the reality that entry-level mental health positions may not offer strong advancement without additional credentials. Even with this decline, Reynolds graduates still earn more than the typical Virginia program produces at year one. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 means graduates face less than a year's salary in loans, which is manageable if employment remains steady.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly with more data. But if your child is committed to mental health services and plans to stay in Virginia, this program delivers stronger initial earnings than nearly every in-state alternative. Just understand that investing in a bachelor's degree or specialized certification may be necessary to push past that $33,000 ceiling a few years out.

Where J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all mental and social health services and allied professions associates's programs nationally

J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeOther mental and social health services and allied professions programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How J Sargeant Reynolds Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earns $40k — 86th percentile among mental and social health services and allied professions associates programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College$39,904$33,018-17%
Brightpoint Community College$26,277$38,083+45%
Virginia Peninsula Community College$25,271$35,704+41%
Tidewater Community College$23,509$29,640+26%
Southside Virginia Community College$28,796$21,183-26%

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (11 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeRichmond$5,136$39,904$33,018$32,6010.82
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAlberta$4,848$28,796$21,183——
Brightpoint Community CollegeChester$4,938$26,277$38,083$17,5940.67
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeHampton$4,944$25,271$35,704$25,6001.01
Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk$5,714$23,509$29,640$25,0001.06
National Median—$32,928—$19,1320.58

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with mental and social health services and allied professions graduates

Genetic Counselors

Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects. Provide information to other healthcare providers or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions. Advise individuals and families to support informed decisionmaking and coping methods for those at risk. May help conduct research related to genetic conditions or genetic counseling.

$98,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists

Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.

$94,310/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in social work. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Marriage and Family Therapists

Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.

$63,780/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Health Education Specialists

Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.

$63,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Social Workers, All Other

All social workers not listed separately.

$61,330/yrJobs growth:

Community Health Workers

Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.

$51,030/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 29 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.