Human Services at Bethel University

Earning $36,630 in the first year—in line with the national median for Human Services bachelor's programs—might sound reasonable until you consider that comparable programs in Tennessee typically produce starting salaries closer to $32,437. Bethel's students are carrying an estimated $32,524 in debt, substantially more than the $23,856 median for similar programs in the state. That 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio means nearly a full year's salary would go toward paying down loans, a significant burden in a helping profession known for modest compensation.

The challenge with Human Services degrees has always been the mismatch between the nobility of the work and the financial reality. Even programs performing at the national median produce graduates who can expect to earn around $40,000 in later years of their career—respectable but hardly lucrative. When you're starting nearly $10,000 deeper in debt than peers at other Tennessee schools, that gap becomes harder to justify, particularly when Bethel's open admission and modest SAT scores suggest students may face additional financial pressures.

For families considering this path, the key question is whether the estimated $8,700 premium in debt over typical in-state alternatives delivers commensurate value through Bethel's network, curriculum, or support systems. Given that these figures are estimates based on peer institutions rather than Bethel's actual graduate outcomes, you'll want direct conversations with the school about job placement rates and typical employer relationships before committing.