Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Tidewater Community College

Norfolk, VA · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 11,797 in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,509 place Tidewater Community College below the $36,448 national median for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 27.0x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $23,200 against $23,509/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #59 ranking among 61 Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs places Tidewater Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 27% earnings increase from $23,509 to $29,906 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
47
Score
48
High End
Earnings $23,509/yr (-35% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (70% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (200,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$313K
6.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
27.4x
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)
$11,428
Out-of-state: $23,434
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,200
11.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$29,906
27% 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 Tidewater Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 47/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Tidewater Community College?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Why are Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions earnings lower at Tidewater Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Tidewater 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 and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates?
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions connects to 5 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions workers?
The career paths mapped to Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions have roughly 200,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →