Human Services at Boricua College

A bachelor's in Human Services from Boricua College serves a predominantly low-income student population—85% receive Pell grants—but the financial picture requires careful consideration. Based on comparable programs across New York, graduates can expect to earn around $41,021 in their first year while carrying approximately $28,875 in debt. That 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory, meaning graduates would need roughly 70% of their first year's salary to cover their educational debt—a workable scenario if employment is steady and income grows.

What complicates this calculation is the field itself. Human services jobs, while meaningful, typically don't see dramatic salary increases early in careers, and the national median of $36,630 suggests many graduates struggle to break $40,000 annually even with experience. New York's higher figures reflect the state's cost of living more than exceptional career prospects. The real question is whether this degree opens doors that justify $29,000 in debt when many human services positions don't strictly require a bachelor's degree, or accept degrees in related fields like psychology or social work.

For families already stretching to afford college, the combination of limited upward mobility in this field and the debt load means your child would likely need to secure employment quickly after graduation and possibly seek additional credentials later for advancement. Given the school's mission serving underrepresented students, this may still represent meaningful opportunity—just one that comes with financial constraints you should plan for now.