Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Sinclair Community College

Sinclair's mental health services program launches graduates into earnings that outpace the national median by $7,700 initially—ranking at the 90th percentile nationally. That's a significant advantage. However, the earnings trajectory raises questions: four years out, median pay drops to $33,343, an 18% decline that's unusual for any career pathway. This could reflect graduates transitioning to different roles, pursuing further education, or the realities of entry-level positions in mental health support work that don't always lead to higher-paying opportunities without additional credentials.

The debt load of $18,043 is reasonable, translating to a 0.44 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable given that first-year salary. Within Ohio, this program sits at the median for both earnings and debt—middle of the pack among the state's 12 similar programs. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably with just a few different outcomes, so they're more directional than definitive.

For parents, the key question is what comes after this associate's degree. If it's a stepping stone to a bachelor's in social work or counseling, the initial earnings and modest debt make sense. As a terminal degree for immediate employment, that earnings decline is a yellow flag worth investigating—talk to the program about typical career paths and whether most graduates continue their education.