Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Texas State Technical College

Waco, TX · Public · Associate Degree

serving 9,153 students in Waco, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,779 place Texas State Technical College below the $36,448 national median for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 26.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions's career paths, with 30% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $19,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $29,779 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #57 of 61 Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs, Texas State Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $29,779 to $36,589 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
51
Score
52
High End
Earnings $29,779/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (70% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (200,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$380K
5.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
26.4x
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)
$14,384
Out-of-state: $23,684
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,589
23% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions 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 →

About Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Careers

Your career in this field is about direct human impact. As a psychiatric technician, one of the fastest-growing roles, you’ll work in hospitals or residential centers, monitoring patients, assisting with daily activities, and de-escalating crises. Or you might become a social worker, meeting with families in their homes or schools to connect them with vital services like housing or food assistance, or working in a hospital to help patients navigate complex healthcare decisions. Your initial roles may involve assisting senior staff, with earnings starting in the $40,000s.

Read the full Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions career guide →

Compare & Explore

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Overview

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Other Schools

Other Majors at Texas State Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Texas State Technical College's Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions program score?
This program scores 51/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Why are Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions earnings lower at Texas State Technical College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Texas State Technical 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 and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions workers?
With approximately 200,600 annual openings across mapped careers, Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →