Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College

Graduates from the Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions program at City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy-King College experience a modest earnings trajectory. Median earnings one year after graduation stand at $35,244.00, which increases to $40,622.00 after five years. However, by the ten-year mark, earnings decrease slightly to $38,967.00. When adjusted for purchasing power, the five-year salary equivalent is approximately $44,250.54, indicating that while initial earnings may be low, they can be competitive when considering inflation and cost of living in Illinois.

The primary industries for graduates include Health Care & Social Assistance, which accounts for 42.4% of employment, followed closely by another segment of the same industry at 39.9%, and Accommodation & Food Services at 19.4%. The estimated break-even point compared to a high-school-only path is approximately 897.3 years, suggesting a long-term return on investment may be limited. Overall, while the program may lead to stable employment in essential sectors, the financial return relative to time invested in education raises questions about its overall viability as a career path.