Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Los Angeles Pierce College

Similar programs across California suggest first-year earnings around $35,000 for this associate's degree in mental and social health services, paired with roughly $17,600 in debt. That 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio falls comfortably below the danger threshold of 1.0, meaning graduates would owe half their annual salary—manageable for most borrowers if that earnings estimate holds true.

The challenge lies in California's stark variation within this field. While the typical graduate earns about $35,000, some community college programs in the state report outcomes above $70,000. That gulf likely reflects differences in specialization, local job markets, and whether graduates pursue licensure or certification. Without actual outcome data from Pierce College specifically, parents can't know where their child would land in that range. The program's estimated debt sits notably below both the state median ($23,000) and national median ($19,000), which helps offset the earnings uncertainty.

For families considering this path, the financial fundamentals appear reasonable based on peer programs, but the wide variation in California outcomes warrants serious due diligence. Connect with Pierce's career services to understand which employers hire their graduates, what licenses or certifications most successful alumni pursue, and whether the program feeds into specific behavioral health roles in Los Angeles County. The numbers suggest viability, but local employment pipelines matter enormously in social services fields.