Mental Health Services graduates earn $52,119 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,401 and $68,626. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Mental Health Services is a focused area of study within Health. Graduates typically earn around $52,119 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 987 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 31,550 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$39,676
Median Earnings · 4yr
$52,119
Colleges Offering
987
Graduates / Year
31,550
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,530
How Much Do Mental Health Services Graduates Earn?
Mental Health Services graduates earn $52,119 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,401 and $68,626.
$39,676
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$52,119
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$51,434
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Mental Health Services graduates. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.
$38,40125th pct.
$52,119Median
$68,62675th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $52,119 and an estimated $70,120 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.2 years.
Based on outcomes from 139 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 31,550 students who complete Mental Health Services programs each year, the majority (60%) earn a master's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
60%
Master's60%
Associate's12%
Bachelor's10%
What Can You Do With a Mental Health Services Degree?
Mental Health Services connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Health Specialties Teachers leads at $107,310/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Assess, diagnose, and treat mental and emotional disorders of individuals through observation, interview, and psychological tests. Help individuals with distress or maladjustment understand their problems through their knowledge of case history, interviews with patients, and theory. Provide individual or group counseling services to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational, and vocational development and adjustment. May design behavior modification programs and consult with medical personnel regarding the best treatment for patients.
Conduct assessments of patients' risk for harm to self or others.
Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as abnormal psychology, cognitive processes, and work motivation.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Social PerceptivenessSpeakingService OrientationCoordinationReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
Educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options to assist them in making informed decisions.
Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
Active ListeningSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingReading ComprehensionWriting
Day-to-day responsibilities
Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.
Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
Prepare and distribute health education materials, such as reports, bulletins, and visual aids, to address smoking, vaccines, and other public health concerns.
Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members.
Pray and promote spirituality.
Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
Top Colleges for Mental Health Services
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Mental Health Services students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Mental Health Services program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Mental Health Services shows 4 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $39,676 at graduation to $52,119 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +17.3% over the next decade, with Health Specialties Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 94,500 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 987 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $52,119 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($38,401) and 75th ($68,626) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Mental Health Services Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Mental Health Services graduates earn?
Mental Health Services graduates earn a national median of $52,119 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,401 and $68,626. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Mental Health Services degree?
One year after graduation, Mental Health Services degree holders earn a median of $39,676. That climbs to $52,119 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Mental Health Services degree?
Mental Health Services degree holders pursue careers including Health Specialties Teachers, which pays a median of $107,310/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Mental Health Services program take?
While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Mental Health Services students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.
How many colleges offer Mental Health Services?
987 colleges and universities in the United States offer Mental Health Services programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Mental Health Services degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $52,119 and an average net price of roughly $17,530/yr, a Mental Health Services degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Mental Health Services and Health?
Mental Health Services is a focused concentration within the broader Health field. The Health major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Mental Health Services-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Mental Health Services graduates?
Employers hiring Mental Health Services graduates consistently prioritize clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles.
Is graduate school worth it for Mental Health Services graduates?
In health fields, advanced degrees (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically unlock significantly higher salaries and expanded scope of practice, making graduate education a strong investment for most students. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Mental Health Services graduates?
The job outlook for Mental Health Services graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +7.5% job growth over the next 10 years. Health Specialties Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +17.3%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
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