Human Services at Century College

Century College's human services graduates earn significantly more than typical associate's degree holders in this field—nearly $10,000 above the national median—but that premium comes at a steep price. While these graduates land in the 95th percentile nationally for earnings, their median debt of $37,015 is nearly double the national average for this program. That creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.90, meaning graduates owe almost a full year's salary.

The state comparison reveals why this matters: Minnesota's other human services programs carry the same debt burden but produce lower earnings, suggesting this may be a broader state-level challenge rather than a Century College-specific issue. At the 60th percentile among Minnesota programs, Century performs solidly in-state but isn't exceptional. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year.

For families weighing this program, the core question is whether $37,000 in debt makes sense for a field where starting salaries hover around $41,000. Earnings do grow modestly to $43,814 by year four, but that's slow progress given the debt load. If your student can minimize borrowing through scholarships, family support, or part-time work, this program's strong placement makes it viable. At full debt levels, though, loan payments will strain an entry-level human services salary.