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

Tidewater's mental and social health services program starts graduates at under $24,000 annually—roughly $9,000 below the national median and $3,000 below Virginia's typical outcome. That first-year figure places this program in the bottom 5% nationally, though it performs closer to the state middle (40th percentile), suggesting Virginia's market for associate-level mental health workers may simply pay less than other states.

The numbers improve as graduates gain experience, with earnings climbing 26% to about $30,000 by year four. However, that growth still leaves earners trailing J Sargeant Reynolds graduates by nearly $10,000 annually, and the $25,000 debt load—matching Virginia's state median but exceeding the national benchmark—creates a challenging first few years. You're looking at debt equal to your child's first year of income, which means tight budgets during the early repayment period.

If your child is committed to mental health work and plans to stay in Virginia, this program offers a foundation with reasonable debt. But understand the financial reality: entry-level pay barely covers living expenses in the Norfolk area, and even mid-career earnings remain modest. Graduates who transfer to nearby Reynolds or pursue additional credentials typically see better outcomes.