Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Viterbo University

Similar programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $40,000 for this bachelor's degree—reasonable for human services work, but the estimated $30,214 in debt creates a tighter financial picture than many families might expect. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 means your child would owe roughly nine months of gross income, requiring careful budgeting in those early career years when many graduates are still pursuing required licensure or graduate degrees for advancement in counseling or social work fields.

The reality is that mental health and social services careers, while deeply meaningful, often require credentials beyond a bachelor's degree to reach competitive salaries. Based on peer programs nationally, the median debt sits at $27,000—so Viterbo's estimated figure runs slightly higher. These roles typically involve direct service work in nonprofits, schools, or community agencies where starting salaries reflect public sector budgets rather than private industry pay scales.

For parents, the question becomes whether this program provides the right foundation for graduate school or immediate employment in the field. Since Viterbo is the only Wisconsin school offering this specific bachelor's program in the Department of Education's dataset, your child won't have in-state alternatives for direct comparison. If your family is committed to this career path, budget conservatively and discuss whether your child plans to pursue an MSW or counseling license—decisions that will significantly affect both timeline to financial stability and total educational investment.