Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Western Technical College

Western Technical College's associate program in mental and social health services trails substantially behind both state and national benchmarks, though the small graduate cohort warrants caution. First-year earnings of $25,442 land in just the 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile statewide—meaning three-quarters of Wisconsin programs in this field produce better initial outcomes. Compare this to Fox Valley Technical College's $43,548 or Milwaukee Area Technical's $37,325, and the gap becomes stark.

The debt load of $17,454 is actually lower than typical for this field, creating a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio. Earnings do grow 31% to $33,232 by year four, which approaches the state median. But that still leaves graduates well behind peers from other Wisconsin technical colleges, suggesting either weaker job placements or a curriculum that doesn't position students for higher-paying roles in the mental health services sector.

With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could shift significantly with a larger sample. But based on what's available, families should carefully compare this program to alternatives. If Western Tech offers unique geographic access or specialization that matters to your family, the reasonable debt load provides some cushion. Otherwise, programs at Fox Valley or Milwaukee Area appear to deliver substantially stronger earning potential in the same field within Wisconsin.