Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at University of Arizona

University of Arizona graduates in this program start at $37,992—below the national median but actually above Arizona's state median, landing in the 60th percentile among Arizona programs. While that might sound modest, the real issue is the trajectory: earnings inch up to just $40,196 four years out, barely keeping pace with inflation. Most social services careers follow this pattern, but parents should understand they're investing in a field where financial rewards grow slowly, if at all, in the early years.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $24,000, graduates carry substantially less than both the national median ($27,000) and especially Arizona's median ($31,780) for this program. That 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio means the typical graduate owes about 7.5 months of their first-year salary—manageable for someone entering a helping profession. Compare this to Grand Canyon University's program, which produces nearly identical earnings but likely saddles graduates with more debt.

This is a reasonable path for students genuinely committed to social services work, where intrinsic rewards often matter more than salary growth. The University of Arizona delivers this degree without overleveraging graduates financially, which matters in fields where loan forgiveness programs may become part of the repayment strategy. Just ensure your student understands they're choosing purpose over prosperity, at least in the near term.