Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at North Central University

Similar mental health programs in Minnesota typically produce first-year earnings around $50,000, which would make North Central's estimated $30,214 in debt manageable at a 0.60 ratio. That's a better starting position than the national picture for this field, where the median sits at just $40,004—meaning Minnesota's mental health sector appears to compensate bachelor's-level workers more competitively than most states.

The debt estimate, derived from peer institutions with North Central's profile, aligns closely with what other Minnesota schools report. Metropolitan State's graduates earn about $6,500 more in their first year, but if North Central's outcomes track with the state median as these estimates suggest, the difference isn't dramatic enough to dismiss this program. The real question is whether your student plans to stay in Minnesota, where the labor market for these roles seems stronger, or relocate to a state where $40,000 might be closer to the norm.

For a family where 43% of students receive Pell grants, a debt load around $30,000 for a field with relatively stable demand represents a calculated risk rather than a red flag. Just recognize you're making this decision with limited visibility—the small graduate cohort that triggered data suppression means you'll want to ask North Central directly about job placement rates and whether their graduates actually match these state-level projections.