Human Services at Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach

Bryant & Stratton's Human Services program costs significantly more than typical associate programs in this field—graduates carry $29,279 in debt compared to a national median of $20,440. First-year earnings of $31,677 match the national average exactly, which means you're paying about 43% more for the same outcome. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.92 translates to roughly 11 months of gross income needed to cover the debt, assuming dedicated repayment.

There's a silver lining in Virginia's limited landscape: with only two schools offering this program statewide, Bryant & Stratton actually ranks at the 60th percentile for earnings in-state. However, that's less impressive when you consider the baseline is just two programs competing. The real benchmark here is national, where this program sits squarely in the middle for outcomes but well above average for cost.

For families, this creates a straightforward math problem. If your child can access a Human Services associate program with lower debt (many exist at community colleges), they'll likely earn similar wages while starting their career with thousands less to repay. Given that 62% of students here receive Pell grants, many families will be financing this premium through loans. The program works—graduates do find employment—but the debt load makes it a less efficient path into this caring but modestly-paid profession.