Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center

This certificate places graduates near the bottom of mental health programs—both in Minnesota (10th percentile) and nationally (5th percentile)—with first-year earnings of $22,875 that fall $13,377 short of what graduates typically earn from similar Minnesota programs. Minneapolis Community and Technical College, located in the same city, produces graduates earning more than double ($49,629) from comparable credentials. While the debt load here is slightly lower than Minnesota's median for this field, that's little consolation when starting salaries barely exceed minimum wage territory.

The 39% earnings growth to $31,753 by year four represents meaningful progress, but graduates are essentially spending their early career years catching up to where similar programs start. At a school serving many Pell-eligible students (45%), this earnings trajectory poses real challenges—those initial years of lower income make loan repayment harder and delay other financial milestones. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 isn't catastrophic, but it assumes graduates can manage on less than $23,000 annually while servicing educational debt.

If your child is committed to mental health services work in Minneapolis, other local options deliver substantially better outcomes from day one. This program might serve students who need maximum flexibility or have limited alternatives, but families should understand they're choosing a path where financial stability arrives gradually rather than immediately after graduation.