Human Services at Cambridge College

Cambridge College's Human Services program shows a puzzling pattern that demands careful consideration: graduates start strong at $44,287—well above the national median—but see earnings drop to $37,169 by year four. That 16% decline is unusual for any bachelor's degree program and raises questions about career trajectory or the nature of initial placements. Within Massachusetts, this program sits right at the state median, meaning half of MA schools produce better outcomes. The debt load of $32,524 lands slightly above the state average but isn't unreasonable relative to first-year earnings.

Here's the critical caveat: this analysis comes from a very small sample of fewer than 30 graduates. That means one or two unusual career paths could skew the entire picture. The backwards earnings trajectory might reflect a cohort-specific issue rather than a program-wide problem, or it could signal that early social services positions don't lead to salary growth without additional credentials.

For parents, the decision hinges on stability. If your child plans to pursue graduate education in social work or counseling—common paths in human services—this could work as an affordable launching point. But if they're expecting the bachelor's degree alone to lead to steady income growth, the data here doesn't support that expectation. Given the small sample and declining earnings pattern, you'd want strong evidence from the school about typical career paths before committing.