Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Lackawanna College

Lackawanna College graduates in this field start at nearly $4,000 below Pennsylvania's median for the same program, ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. That gap widens when you compare it to top performers—Penn grads earn $20,000 more their first year out. Yet the debt load here sits at $39,750, substantially higher than both the national median ($27,000) and Pennsylvania's typical debt for this program ($33,375). The result is a debt-to-earnings ratio just over 1:1, meaning graduates owe more than they earn in their first year.

The silver lining: this debt level still ranks favorably nationally (14th percentile), suggesting many mental health programs saddle students with far worse debt burdens. But with 58% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are likely counting on stronger financial returns. Be aware that this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, which means one unusually good or bad year could skew these numbers significantly.

For families considering this program, understand that you're looking at below-average Pennsylvania outcomes with above-average Pennsylvania debt. Unless Lackawanna offers specific advantages—geographic location for internships, strong alumni networks in Scranton-area nonprofits, or substantially lower total cost of attendance—higher-performing programs at schools like Alvernia offer better starting positions for similar debt.