Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Paul D Camp Community College

The small sample size here demands caution, but the numbers suggest troubling starting salaries that improve significantly over time—though perhaps not enough. At $24,556 one year out, graduates earn roughly $5,000 below Virginia's median for similar programs and sit in just the 5th percentile nationally. Even after four years, when earnings reach $35,615, they remain below what typical graduates in this field earn immediately after graduation at better-performing programs.

The debt picture offers some relief: $8,655 is manageable compared to the national average of $14,519, and it represents just 35% of first-year earnings. Within Virginia, this program ranks in the 25th percentile—meaning three-quarters of comparable programs show stronger early earnings. Nearby Central Virginia Community College, for instance, reports median earnings of $32,649, about one-third higher than Paul D Camp's graduates initially earn.

That 45% earnings jump from year one to year four hints that graduates may start in entry-level positions before advancing into better-paying roles. But for a family weighing options, the question is whether starting $8,000 behind state peers is worth the uncertainty. Given how many Virginia community colleges offer this credential with stronger outcomes, this program works best for students with compelling reasons to stay local in the Franklin area—otherwise, shopping around makes financial sense.