Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at University of the Cumberlands

A $21,137 starting salary with $22,750 in debt creates an immediate financial bind that's hard to justify, even for a helping profession. While the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift, University of the Cumberlands' mental health program lands in the bottom 5% nationally for earnings—graduates here make roughly half what their counterparts earn at typical programs across the country. The debt burden, meanwhile, sits at the 84th percentile, meaning most similar programs leave students owing less.

The Kentucky context offers one bright spot: this program actually matches the state median for this field, placing it at the 60th percentile among the handful of Kentucky schools offering this degree. But that speaks more to the challenging economics of mental health work in Kentucky than to any particular strength of the program. With only five schools in the state offering this major, you're essentially looking at a field that struggles with low pay regardless of where you study.

For parents, the math is stark: a graduate earning $21,000 annually faces serious challenges covering basic living expenses, let alone debt payments. The small sample size means you should dig deeper before dismissing this program entirely, but these numbers suggest graduates are either underemployed or entering positions that don't require a bachelor's degree. Ask the university for more detailed placement data and consider whether this specific credential is necessary for your child's career goals in mental health services.