Mental Health Services at Western Technical College

La Crosse, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 3,434 students in La Crosse, WI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,442 place Western Technical College below the $36,448 national median for Mental Health Services — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 40.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Mental Health Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Mental Health Services's career paths, with 30% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 31% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $17,454 represents roughly 8 months of the $25,442 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #55 of 61 Mental Health Services programs, Western Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $25,442 to $35,912 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
52
Score
53
High End
Earnings $25,442/yr (-30% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (70% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (200,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$387K
9.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
41.0x
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)
$9,432
Out-of-state: $13,818
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,454
8.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,912
41% 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

Mental Health Services opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Mental Health Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Mental Health Services Overview

Mental Health Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Technical 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 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Mental Health Services at Western Technical College?
A score of 52/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Western Technical College trails the majority of Mental Health Services programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Can you still earn well with Mental Health Services from Western Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Western Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Mental Health Services through an apprenticeship instead of Western Technical College?
The DOL recognizes 5 apprenticeship pathways related to Mental Health Services. For students weighing Western Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the AI uncertainty for Mental Health Services careers?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 31% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
Is there demand for Mental Health Services workers?
At 200,600 annual openings, Mental Health Services has a very large employment base. Western Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →