Human Services at Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach

The numbers here tell a paradoxical story: this certificate program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings, yet those earnings barely crack $23,000 a year. The issue isn't Bryant & Stratton's performance—it's the human services field itself at the certificate level. Graduates nationwide in this program earn a median of just $22,878, meaning this school matches the national top earners. The $16,248 in debt is actually lower than typical for certificate programs, translating to a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio.

With 62% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves students seeking quick workforce entry, and the outcomes are about as good as anyone achieves with a human services certificate. The problem is what "as good as it gets" means here—$23,000 annually is just $11 per hour. While Virginia only has two schools offering this specific credential (making state comparisons less meaningful), the core question remains whether any certificate-level human services program justifies taking on debt.

If your child needs immediate employment and is specifically called to social services work, this represents a responsible version of a challenging credential. But understand they'll likely need additional education or credentials to reach a living wage—this is a stepping stone, not a destination.