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Mental Health Services at Southside Virginia Community College

Alberta, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions

a smaller institution with 1,835 students in Alberta, VA.

Program Analysis

Southside Virginia Community College's Mental Health Services graduates start at $28,796/yr, trailing the $36,448 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 33.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mental Health Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #54 ranking among 61 Mental Health Services programs places Southside Virginia Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $28,796 to $31,746 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Mental Health Services reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
52
Score
53
High End
Earnings $28,796/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (70% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (200,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$322K
2.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
33.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
17 of 17
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,696
Out-of-state: $21,702
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$31,746
10% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Mental Health Services graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Genetic counselors $98,910 +9.3% 50%
Clinical and counseling psychologists $95,830 +11.2% 63%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Genetic counselors
$98,910
+9.3% growth 50% AI-proof
Clinical and counseling psychologists
$95,830
+11.2% growth 63% AI-proof

View all 17 career paths with full salary data →

Mental Health Services Career Guide

What can you do with a Mental Health Services credential from Southside Virginia Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Mental Health Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Mental Health Services Overview

View all 61 schools offering Mental Health Services →

Mental Health Services at Other Schools

Coalinga College ($72,116) Coalinga College ($71,517) Lemoore College ($71,182) Lemoore College ($69,125) Mt San Antonio College ($59,278) Pueblo Community College ($59,198) Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts ($53,451) Minneapolis Community and Technical College ($49,629)

Other Majors at Southside Virginia Community College

Nursing ($66,693) Practical Nursing ($27,442) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($25,214) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($21,477) Business Operations Support ($18,788) Cosmetology ($16,944)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Mental Health Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Mental Health Services at Southside Virginia Community College?
A score of 52/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Southside Virginia Community College trails the majority of Mental Health Services programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Is Southside Virginia Community College a good choice for Mental Health Services despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Southside Virginia Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Mental Health Services graduates?
Beyond Southside Virginia Community College's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Mental Health Services careers — including Behavioral Health Aide (Existing Title: Counselor). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Mental Health Services workers?
The very large job market (200,600 annual openings) works in favor of Mental Health Services graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →