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

At $42,480 in first-year earnings, University of Kansas graduates in this field outpace the typical national outcome by more than $2,400—landing them in the 80th percentile nationally. That's meaningful for a helping profession where salaries often lag. Within Kansas, though, the picture is more middle-of-the-pack, performing slightly above the state median but not dramatically ahead of alternatives like Washburn. The debt load of $24,907 is notably lighter than both the national and Kansas medians, creating a manageable 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates should handle comfortably.

The 6% earnings bump over four years suggests modest but steady professional growth, typical for social services careers where advancement often requires additional credentials or experience. However, the small sample size here—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could swing significantly with just a few different outcomes. If your child has a clear calling for mental health or social services work, KU offers a solid foundation with less debt than most comparable programs. Just recognize this isn't a high-earning field, and the four-year numbers suggest you're looking at mid-$40Ks rather than dramatic salary growth in the early career years.