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Health Professions · Mental Health Services Rank #11 of 48

Mental Health Servicesat Western Washington University

Graduates earn $46,770/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national Mental Health Services average. Base-case 10-year earnings $519K; scenarios range from $490K to $519K depending on AI disruption.

Bellingham, WA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
58 SOLID
58
Optimistic
58
Pessimistic
Earnings
$46,770
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$519K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
40% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Western Washington University

First-year earnings of $46,770 at Western Washington University come in 20% above the national median of $38,856 for Mental Health Services programs.

With a 14.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mental Health Services career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Western Washington University ranks #11 among 48 Mental Health Services programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$490K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple13.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$519K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple14.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$519K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple14.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Western Washington University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Mental Health Services graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
2
Genetic counselors
+9.3% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$98,910/yr
High
3
Clinical and counseling psychologists
+11.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$95,830/yr
Moderate
4
Psychology teachers, postsecondary
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 4,000 openings/yr
$80,330/yr
Moderate
5
Social work teachers, postsecondary
+2.3% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$76,210/yr
Moderate
6
Social workers, all other
+3.9% 10-yr growth · 7,000 openings/yr
$69,480/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Mental Health Services

How Western Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
61
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
2.4x
ROI
Top score
Metropolitan State University
MN · Public
68
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
14.0x
ROI
Saint Cloud State University
MN · Public
66
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
13.9x
ROI
Minnesota State University-Mankato
MN · Public
60
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
12.5x
ROI
University of Kansas
KS · Public
64
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
13.8x
ROI
Also at Western Washington University

Other top programs at Western Washington University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Washington University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Mental Health Services offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Mental Health Services trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Mental Health Services at Western Washington University

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mental Health Services at Western Washington University?

At 58/100, Western Washington University's Mental Health Services program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is Western Washington University one of the best schools for Mental Health Services?

Among 48 Mental Health Services programs, Western Washington University's #11 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.