Best institutions to study Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Compare 902 U.S. colleges offering Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs report a median of $37,325 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 51.15 and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs
The Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions program focuses on equipping students with the skills needed to support individuals facing mental health challenges and social issues. This program is ideal for those interested in pursuing careers in counseling, therapy, and social work, providing essential services to diverse populations.
Learn more about Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions →
Students in this program will gain core skills in therapy and counseling, psychology, and sociology. Coursework emphasizes active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, preparing graduates to engage with clients and collaborate with other health professionals.
Top 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coalinga College Coalinga, CA Public · Certificate degree | $71,517 | 5 | 43% | — | $11,750 |
| 2 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CA Public · Certificate degree | $59,278 | 142 | 45% | — | $10,000 |
| 3 | Pueblo Community College Pueblo, CO Public · Certificate degree | $59,198 | 147 | 31% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,269 | 116 | 97% | $22,055 | $14,000 |
| 5 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,516 | 52 | 44% | — | $42,688 |
| 6 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Graduate degree | $50,127 | 57 | 90% | — | $20,187 |
| 7 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,058 | 19 | 40% | — | $31,171 |
| 8 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MN Public · Certificate degree | $49,629 | 33 | 20% | — | $35,542 |
| 9 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree | $48,098 | 132 | 84% | $28,851 | $27,000 |
| 10 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,770 | 6 | 65% | — | — |
| 11 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,691 | 78 | 54% | — | $27,269 |
| 12 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,270 | 73 | 75% | — | $53,508 |
| 13 | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane, WA Public · Associate degree | $45,849 | 34 | 32% | — | $20,414 |
| 14 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,886 | 388 | 43% | $34,565 | $33,428 |
| 15 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI Public · Associate degree | $43,548 | 16 | 65% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,480 | 14 | 69% | — | $24,907 |
| 17 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,891 | 19 | 78% | $36,004 | $27,000 |
| 18 | Washburn University Topeka, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,632 | 31 | 53% | — | $31,000 |
| 19 | Davenport University Grand Rapids, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,225 | 31 | 57% | $22,126 | $27,000 |
| 20 | University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,191 | 149 | 60% | — | $26,000 |
| 21 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,139 | 21 | 49% | — | $29,804 |
| 22 | Alvernia University Reading, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,115 | 22 | 56% | $27,683 | $54,779 |
| 23 | Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Portales, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,645 | 42 | 45% | — | $20,378 |
| 24 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,516 | 39 | 65% | — | $26,000 |
| 25 | Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion Marion, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,426 | 7 | 67% | $21,351 | $44,811 |
| 26 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,426 | 91 | 35% | $18,316 | $44,811 |
| 27 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,333 | 40 | 59% | — | $31,000 |
| 28 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond, VA Public · Associate degree | $39,904 | 108 | 32% | — | $32,601 |
| 29 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,676 | 89 | 11% | $26,445 | $48,372 |
| 30 | Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MD Public · Associate degree | $39,370 | 85 | 31% | — | $11,832 |
| 31 | Kennebec Valley Community College Fairfield, ME Public · Associate degree | $39,351 | 17 | 39% | — | $19,345 |
| 32 | William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,228 | 16 | 44% | — | $26,000 |
| 33 | University of Maine at Augusta Augusta, ME Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,109 | 78 | 27% | — | $33,250 |
| 34 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,439 | 137 | 33% | $15,554 | $33,180 |
| 35 | CUNY Hostos Community College Bronx, NY Public · Associate degree | $38,336 | 44 | 16% | — | $9,000 |
| 36 | InterCoast Colleges - Riverside Riverside, CA Private for-profit · Certificate degree | $37,997 | 1 | 60% | $25,135 | $14,267 |
| 37 | InterCoast Colleges - West Covina West Covina, CA Private for-profit · Certificate degree | $37,997 | 220 | 97% | $26,763 | $14,267 |
| 38 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,992 | 134 | 68% | — | $24,000 |
| 39 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,693 | 2,215 | 43% | $21,535 | $39,560 |
| 40 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,645 | 173 | 46% | — | $30,949 |
| 41 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI Public · Associate degree | $37,325 | 23 | 25% | — | $23,799 |
| 42 | Rhode Island College Providence, RI Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,320 | 37 | 48% | — | $27,000 |
| 43 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,268 | 39 | 43% | — | $25,000 |
| 44 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CT Public · Associate degree | $36,043 | 81 | 24% | — | — |
| 45 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZ Public · Associate degree | $36,004 | 2 | 28% | — | $5,250 |
| 46 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FL Public · Associate degree | $35,956 | 21 | 34% | — | $28,529 |
| 47 | Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MI Public · Associate degree | $35,726 | 4 | 21% | — | $22,141 |
| 48 | New Mexico Highlands University Las Vegas, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,750 | 168 | 26% | — | $18,375 |
| 49 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,671 | 30 | 84% | — | $19,249 |
| 50 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,603 | 5 | 36% | — | $22,809 |
Offered across 51 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1023, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions program can expect a promising job outlook, with a growth rate of 9.7% and approximately 13,500 annual openings. Most positions require a master's degree, and the median wage for professionals in this field is $60,060.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 51.15.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 51.15 (Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions) maps to 19 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-3033 | Clinical and Counseling Psychologists |
| 21-1011 | Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors |
| 21-1013 | Marriage and Family Therapists |
| 21-1014 | Mental Health Counselors |
| 21-1019 | Counselors, All Other |
| 21-1021 | Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
| 21-1022 | Healthcare Social Workers |
| 21-1023 | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workersprimary |
| 21-1029 | Social Workers, All Other |
| 21-1091 | Health Education Specialists |
| 21-1094 | Community Health Workers |
| 21-2011 | Clergy |
| 21-2021 | Directors, Religious Activities and Education |
| 25-1066 | Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1113 | Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 29-2053 | Psychiatric Technicians |
| 29-9092 | Genetic Counselors |
| 31-1133 | Psychiatric Aides |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
- Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
- Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
- Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
- Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
Concentrations within Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Substance Abuse/Addiction CounselingCIP 51.1501
A program that prepares individuals to help prevent substance abuse, counsel individuals and families with drug and alcohol problems, and perform intervention and therapeutic services for persons suff
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Services TechnicianCIP 51.1502
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and other mental health care professionals, to provide direct patient care services, assist in devel
- Clinical/Medical Social WorkCIP 51.1503
A program that prepares individuals for the specialized professional practice of social work, in collaboration with other health care professionals, in hospitals and other health care facilities and o
- Community Health Services/Liaison/CounselingCIP 51.1504
A program that prepares individuals to serve as facilitators, advocates, and referral professionals linking health care and related social services with affected recipient communities
- Marriage and Family Therapy/CounselingCIP 51.1505
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of marriage and family therapy, involving the diagnosis of cognitive, affective, and behavioral domain disorders, both men
- Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient CounselingCIP 51.1506
A program that prepares individuals, including but not limited to, ordained clergy and other counseling professionals to respond to the emotional and/or spiritual needs of patients and families in hea
- Psychoanalysis and PsychotherapyCIP 51.1507
A program that prepares individuals to practice the provision of psychoanalytic counseling to individuals and groups based on the psychodynamic principles evolved from authorities such as Freud, Adler
- Mental Health Counseling/CounselorCIP 51.1508
A program that prepares individuals to provide evaluations, referrals, and short-term counseling services to help people prevent or remediate personal problems, conflicts, and emotional crises
- Genetic Counseling/CounselorCIP 51.1509
A program that prepares individuals to counsel patients and families concerning inherited genetic disorders and diseases; assess risk factors and planning options associated with potential and actual
- Infant/Toddler Mental Health ServicesCIP 51.1510
A program that prepares individuals to provide mental health services to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and their families
- Medical Family Therapy/TherapistCIP 51.1511
A program that prepares individuals to work with patients and their families who are experiencing emotional, physical, relational and spiritual difficulties related to acute and chronic illnesses
- Hospice and Palliative CareCIP 51.1512
A program of study that prepares individuals to work with patients in hospice and palliative care and focuses on the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social needs of patients and families affec
Common questions
What types of specializations are available?+
Specializations include Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling, Psychiatric/Mental Health Services Technician, Clinical Social Work, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, speaking, and writing, among others.
What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+
Most careers in this field typically require a master's degree.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 9.7%.
How much do Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates earn?+
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions graduates report median earnings of $37,325 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers occupation pays about $68,030 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions?+
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions maps to CIP 51.15 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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