ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 4400

Human Services, General: is this associate's degree worth it?

National picture across 83 reporting college programs.

10-year estimate · Negative payoff

−$158,793 over 10 years

National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.

With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.

Not availableModeled economic break-even
−143%Modeled 10-year ROI
$40,247Observed earnings · year 4
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
Includes direct price and earnings forgone while studying. Assumes $45,000 in alternative annual earnings and no wage growth. How we calculate it
A PRACTICAL READ

Four useful answers about Human Services, General

How much do Human Services, General associate's degree graduates earn?

The national median is $40,247 four years after completion across reportable associate's degree programs in this federal field.

How much federal debt do graduates have?

The median reported federal debt is $20,441. The figure excludes private loans and does not describe every graduate.

Does the college matter for Human Services, General?

Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $35,356 to $45,208 in observed year-4 earnings.

What careers are related to Human Services, General?

DegreeVerdict links this field to 3 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.

PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

What stays fixed$40,247 observed annual earnings · 2 years of study · $45,000 alternative annual earnings · ten-year horizonThe marked price is the average college-wide net-price context across reporting institutions. This is a sensitivity test, not a tuition quote or earnings forecast.
WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$40,247Median reported earnings · year 4
$37,516Average reported earnings · year 5
$20,441Median federal debt
25thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
Not availableIPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
76With year-4 earnings

The award total covers 0 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts, not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

OPEN PROFILE

Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma

Year-4 earnings
$29,382
Federal debt
$16,248
Reporting programs
12
12 report earnings →
CURRENT VIEW

Associate's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$40,247
Federal debt
$20,441
Reporting programs
83
76 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$48,799
Federal debt
$31,549
Reporting programs
106
99 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Master's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$57,277
Federal debt
Not available
Reporting programs
23
23 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Doctoral Degree

Year-4 earnings
$72,005
Federal debt
Not available
Reporting programs
2
2 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)

Year-4 earnings
$52,538
Federal debt
Not available
Reporting programs
1
1 report earnings →
COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median
25th percentile$35,356National median$40,24775th percentile$45,208
76 programs report year‑4 earnings.
DECISION CHECK

What to compare before choosing a program

The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.

$45,20875th-percentile year-4 earnings among reporting programs
$19,781Median federal debt across programs that report it
7Programs with earnings in the top quarter and debt at or below the median
PRICE × EARNINGS MAP

Where colleges sit for this exact degree

Move left for a lower annual college-wide net price and up for higher observed year-4 earnings.

$48,479Observed year-4 earnings$32,682
$4,462Annual college-wide average net price$20,607
All reporting colleges Lower-price, higher-earnings quadrantAxes trim the outer 5% for readability; outliers remain pinned to the chart edge. Price is institution-wide context, not exact program tuition.
Compare colleges

Put the same degree side by side.

Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.

Compare 3 programs →
Build your shortlist

Choose colleges offering this exact degree

Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.

72 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
1Tacoma Community CollegeTacoma, WA · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,029Federal debt$17,367Annual net price$8,376
2Central Maine Community CollegeAuburn, ME · PublicYear-4 earnings$52,110Federal debt$18,250Annual net price$6,975
3Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMinneapolis, MN · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,973Federal debt$39,289Annual net price$13,812
4CUNY Bronx Community CollegeBronx, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,782Federal debt$8,071Annual net price$4,462
5Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell, SD · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,479Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$13,460
6Nassau Community CollegeGarden City, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,442Federal debt$13,569Annual net price$7,095
7Harcum CollegeBryn Mawr, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$48,185Federal debt$23,540Annual net price$24,776
8Midlands Technical CollegeWest Columbia, SC · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,014Federal debt$18,203Annual net price$4,647
9CUNY New York City College of TechnologyBrooklyn, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,942Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$5,127
10Community College of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,362Federal debt$18,242Annual net price$11,911
11Riverland Community CollegeAustin, MN · PublicYear-4 earnings$46,959Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$7,427
12Rasmussen University-FloridaOcala, FL · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$46,185Federal debt$26,882Annual net price$21,909
13Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud, MN · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$46,185Federal debt$26,882Annual net price$17,962
14Rasmussen University-North DakotaFargo, ND · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$46,185Federal debt$26,882Annual net priceNot available
15Rasmussen University-IllinoisRockford, IL · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$46,185Federal debt$26,882Annual net price$19,854
16Rasmussen University-WisconsinGreen Bay, WI · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$46,185Federal debt$26,882Annual net priceNot available
17Rasmussen University-KansasTopeka, KS · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$46,185Federal debt$26,882Annual net price$23,980
18Orange County Community CollegeMiddletown, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$45,551Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$6,794
19Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$45,516Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$3,133
20Monroe UniversityBronx, NY · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$45,208Federal debt$16,000Annual net price$14,522
21San Diego City CollegeSan Diego, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,787Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$7,935
22Suffolk County Community CollegeSelden, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,614Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$5,258
23Fond du Lac Tribal and Community CollegeCloquet, MN · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,377Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$12,677
24UCNJ Union College of Union County New JerseyCranford, NJ · PublicYear-4 earnings$44,089Federal debt$10,942Annual net price$8,257
25Herkimer County Community CollegeHerkimer, NY · PublicYear-4 earnings$43,985Federal debt$14,990Annual net price$13,419
Open the full program search →
WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1Tacoma Community College$53,0292Central Maine Community College$52,1103Minneapolis Community and Technical College$48,9734CUNY Bronx Community College$48,7825Mitchell Technical College$48,4796Nassau Community College$48,4427Harcum College$48,1858Midlands Technical College$48,0149CUNY New York City College of Technology$47,94210Community College of Philadelphia$47,362

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

Career outlook

Related occupations, wages and demand

Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.

Pay and projected demand

Related careers do not share one outlook

Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection

Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.

Social and Community Service Managers$80,390 median wage209,330 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9151+7.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 18.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$53,150$132,260 10th–90th percentileCommunity and Social Service Specialists, All Other$56,730 median wage107,730 U.S. jobs · SOC 21-1099+5.5% projected employment, 2025–35 · 11.6k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$37,310$84,210 10th–90th percentileSocial and Human Service Assistants$45,930 median wage437,860 U.S. jobs · SOC 21-1093+7.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 48.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$34,200$63,290 10th–90th percentile

BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.

BEST COLLEGES FOR HUMAN SERVICES, GENERAL

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario, not an individual aid offer.

#CollegeLocationEarnings, year 4Federal debt10-year ROIVerdict
1Tacoma Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeTacoma, WA$53,029$17,367-25%Negative payoff
2Central Maine Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeAuburn, ME$52,110$18,250-32%Negative payoff
3Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeMinneapolis, MN$48,973$39,289-66%Negative payoff
4CUNY Bronx Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBronx, NY$48,782$8,071-62%Negative payoff
5Mitchell Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeMitchell, SD$48,479Not available-70%Negative payoff
6Nassau Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeGarden City, NY$48,442$13,569-67%Negative payoff
7Harcum CollegeAssociate's DegreeBryn Mawr, PA$48,185$23,540-77%Negative payoff
8Midlands Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeWest Columbia, SC$48,014$18,203-70%Negative payoff
9CUNY New York City College of TechnologyAssociate's DegreeBrooklyn, NY$47,942Not available-71%Negative payoff
10Community College of PhiladelphiaAssociate's DegreePhiladelphia, PA$47,362$18,242-79%Negative payoff
11Riverland Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeAustin, MN$46,959Not available-81%Negative payoff
12Rasmussen University-FloridaAssociate's DegreeOcala, FL$46,185$26,882-91%Negative payoff
13Rasmussen University-MinnesotaAssociate's DegreeSt. Cloud, MN$46,185$26,882-91%Negative payoff
14Rasmussen University-North DakotaAssociate's DegreeFargo, ND$46,185$26,882WithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
15Rasmussen University-IllinoisAssociate's DegreeRockford, IL$46,185$26,882-91%Negative payoff
16Rasmussen University-WisconsinAssociate's DegreeGreen Bay, WI$46,185$26,882WithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
17Rasmussen University-KansasAssociate's DegreeTopeka, KS$46,185$26,882-91%Negative payoff
18Orange County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeMiddletown, NY$45,551Not available-95%Negative payoff
19Santa Ana CollegeAssociate's DegreeSanta Ana, CA$45,516Not available-95%Negative payoff
20Monroe UniversityAssociate's DegreeBronx, NY$45,208$16,000-98%Negative payoff
21San Diego City CollegeAssociate's DegreeSan Diego, CA$44,787Not available-102%Negative payoff
22Suffolk County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSelden, NY$44,614Not available-104%Negative payoff
23Fond du Lac Tribal and Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeCloquet, MN$44,377Not available-105%Negative payoff
24UCNJ Union College of Union County New JerseyAssociate's DegreeCranford, NJ$44,089$10,942-109%Negative payoff
25Herkimer County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeHerkimer, NY$43,985$14,990-109%Negative payoff
26Fulton-Montgomery Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeJohnstown, NY$43,952Not available-110%Negative payoff
27Westmoreland County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeYoungwood, PA$43,534Not available-115%Negative payoff
28Mount Wachusett Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeGardner, MA$43,514$8,312-114%Negative payoff
29Delaware Technical Community College-TerryAssociate's DegreeDover, DE$43,316$9,240-115%Negative payoff
30Monroe Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeRochester, NY$43,110$17,984-118%Negative payoff
31North Central State CollegeAssociate's DegreeMansfield, OH$42,944Not available-121%Negative payoff
32Harrisburg Area Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeHarrisburg, PA$42,048$36,401-125%Negative payoff
33Dutchess Community CollegeAssociate's DegreePoughkeepsie, NY$41,788$14,324-129%Negative payoff
34CUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeNew York, NY$41,311Not available-136%Negative payoff
35Quinsigamond Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeWorcester, MA$41,092$21,703-136%Negative payoff
36Grace Christian UniversityAssociate's DegreeWyoming, MI$40,969$21,147-135%Negative payoff
37Atlantic Cape Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeMays Landing, NJ$40,712$11,667-140%Negative payoff
38University of Phoenix-ArizonaAssociate's DegreePhoenix, AZ$40,383$26,563-139%Negative payoff
39Century CollegeAssociate's DegreeWhite Bear Lake, MN$40,111$37,015-144%Negative payoff
40Jamestown Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeJamestown, NY$39,910$10,118-146%Negative payoff
41Bryant & Stratton College-BuffaloAssociate's DegreeBuffalo, NY$39,830$29,279-144%Negative payoff
42Bryant & Stratton College-ParmaAssociate's DegreeParma, OH$39,830$29,279-145%Negative payoff
43Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia BeachAssociate's DegreeVirginia Beach, VA$39,830$29,279-145%Negative payoff
44Bryant & Stratton College-WauwatosaAssociate's DegreeWauwatosa, WI$39,830$29,279-143%Negative payoff
45Bryant & Stratton College-OnlineAssociate's DegreeOrchard Park, NY$39,830$29,279-143%Negative payoff
46Columbia CollegeAssociate's DegreeColumbia, MO$39,817$33,115-138%Negative payoff
47Mohawk Valley Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeUtica, NY$39,729$11,750-149%Negative payoff
48Central Ohio Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeNewark, OH$39,202$14,619-153%Negative payoff
49James A. Rhodes State CollegeAssociate's DegreeLima, OH$38,876Not available-157%Negative payoff
50Hudson Valley Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeTroy, NY$38,446$11,925-161%Negative payoff
51Fresno City CollegeAssociate's DegreeFresno, CA$38,378$6,334-162%Negative payoff
52Onondaga Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeSyracuse, NY$38,232$12,019-163%Negative payoff
53Community College of Rhode IslandAssociate's DegreeWarwick, RI$38,047$12,625-167%Negative payoff
54York County Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeWells, ME$37,561$10,773-173%Negative payoff
55Lake Area Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeWatertown, SD$37,135$12,000-164%Negative payoff
56Piedmont Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeGreenwood, SC$37,133$19,781-170%Negative payoff
57Ohio Christian UniversityAssociate's DegreeCircleville, OH$35,767$27,381-170%Negative payoff
58Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeConway, SC$35,356$35,140-198%Negative payoff
59Purdue University GlobalAssociate's DegreeWest Lafayette, IN$35,110Not available-194%Negative payoff
60St Petersburg CollegeAssociate's DegreeSt. Petersburg, FL$34,811$33,835-210%Negative payoff
61Saint Louis Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeBridgeton, MO$33,339$15,102-209%Negative payoff
62Connecticut State Community CollegeAssociate's DegreeNew Britain, CT$32,682Not available-209%Negative payoff
63Gateway Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeFlorence, KY$31,947$21,100-229%Negative payoff
64Ultimate Medical AcademyAssociate's DegreeClearwater, FL$29,342$22,310-220%Negative payoff
65Greenville Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeGreenville, SC$25,878Not available-269%Negative payoff
66Brescia UniversityAssociate's DegreeOwensboro, KYNot available$30,062WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive$8,709
67Hazard Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreeHazard, KYNot available$15,500WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive$2,955
68Big Sandy Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's DegreePrestonsburg, KYNot available$17,993WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive$3,873
69Metropolitan Community College AreaAssociate's DegreeOmaha, NENot available$9,728WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive$4,982
70Kent State University at AshtabulaAssociate's DegreeAshtabula, OHNot available$29,856WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive$12,205
71Kent State University at SalemAssociate's DegreeSalem, OHNot available$29,856WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive$13,799
72Kent State University at KentAssociate's DegreeKent, OHNot available$29,856WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive$20,787
73Asnuntuck Community CollegeAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
74Connecticut State Community College HousatonicAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
75Manchester Community CollegeAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
76Naugatuck Valley Community CollegeAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
77Middlesex Community CollegeAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
78Three Rivers Community CollegeAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
79Connecticut State Community College NorwalkAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
80Northwestern Connecticut Community CollegeAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
81Quinebaug Valley Community CollegeAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
82Connecticut State Community College GatewayAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available
83Connecticut State Community College TunxisAssociate's Degree, $32,682Not availableWithheldPrice-proxy sensitiveNot available

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.