Human Services at Bellevue University

The $10,312 debt figure at Bellevue University stands out immediately—it's remarkably low, less than a third of what human services graduates typically carry nationwide ($31,573). This creates a fundamentally different financial equation than most bachelor's programs in this field. While earnings estimates from peer programs suggest around $36,630 in the first year, that debt load translates to just three months of gross income, a manageable starting point for graduates entering a helping profession known more for purpose than pay.

Human services careers rarely produce dramatic salary growth, so the debt picture matters more here than in fields with steeper earnings trajectories. The one actual data point from Nebraska—Doane University's $38,613—suggests comparable programs in the state produce slightly higher starting salaries, though the difference is modest. At similar earnings levels, Bellevue's significantly lower debt burden would likely leave graduates with more financial breathing room as they build careers in social services, community outreach, or related roles.

For families weighing this program, the compelling case is the debt management rather than earning potential. If your student is committed to human services work, a bachelor's degree at this cost structure is easier to justify than the debt loads typical elsewhere. The key question becomes whether Bellevue's specific program quality and career placement support matches what you'd find at peer institutions—because financially, they've already solved the biggest problem facing graduates in this field.