Human Services, General: is this doctoral degree worth it?
National picture across 2 reporting college programs.
Personal baseline needed
$72,005 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
$72,005Median year-4 earnings
$25,887Average institution net-price context
Not availableMedian federal debt
Observed national outcomes
$72,005Median reported earnings · year 4
$84,711Average reported earnings · year 5
Not availableMedian federal debt
11thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
116IPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
2With year-4 earnings
The award total covers 2 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.
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
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $40,247
- Federal debt
- $20,441
- Reporting programs
- 83
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $48,799
- Federal debt
- $31,549
- Reporting programs
- 106
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $57,277
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 23
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $72,005
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $52,538
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
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$71,288National median$72,00575th percentile$71,288
2 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.
Put the same degree side by side.
Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.
Compare 2 programs →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.
2 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1Walden University$72,7222Capella University$71,288Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
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
Higher median wage ↑
-7%Projected employment growth →12%
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.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walden UniversityDoctoral Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $72,722 | Not available | Baseline needed | $33,817 |
| 2 | Capella UniversityDoctoral Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $71,288 | Not available | Baseline needed | $17,956 |
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.