Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Spokane Falls Community College

Spokane Falls graduates in mental health services earn nearly $46,000 in their first year—about $13,000 above the national median for this field and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. That's impressive performance for an associate degree program in social services, where earnings typically start much lower. However, the 60th percentile ranking within Washington suggests this strong outcome reflects the state's higher wage floor rather than exceptional program placement.

The debt picture looks manageable: graduates leave with roughly $20,000 in loans, translating to a 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's below the concerning threshold and sits right at the national median for debt in this field. For parents, this means monthly loan payments around $230, which should be handleable on a $46,000 salary, especially in a helping profession where income stability matters more than high peaks.

The caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could shift with a larger cohort. Still, the fundamentals work: reasonable debt for solid first-year earnings in a field with consistent demand. For students committed to mental health work, this represents a practical entry point without the debt burden of a four-year degree.