Human Services at Central Maine Community College

Central Maine Community College's Human Services program shows strong initial earnings at $40,029—outperforming 95% of similar programs nationally and sitting comfortably above both the national median ($31,677) and Maine's state median ($34,814). However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year, and one concerning trend deserves attention: earnings drop to $34,153 by year four, a 15% decline that runs counter to typical career progression.

The debt picture is reasonable at $18,250, translating to a manageable 0.46 ratio against first-year earnings. Notably, this sits below Maine's median debt for Human Services programs ($14,512), though not dramatically so. For context, among Maine's six schools offering this program, Central Maine ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings—solid, but not exceptional within the state.

For families considering this program, the first-year earnings advantage is real, but that earnings decline raises questions about career stability or advancement in the field. The small sample size adds uncertainty—these numbers might look different with more graduates tracked. If your child is passionate about human services work and can supplement this associate's degree with additional training or a bachelor's later, the low debt burden makes this a defensible starting point. Just don't assume that strong $40k starting point represents long-term earning potential.