Analysis
Fitchburg State's Human Services program punches well above its weight class. Despite the university's 90% acceptance rate and modest SAT scores, graduates earn $45,641 in their first year—placing them in the 95th percentile nationally and making roughly $9,000 more than the typical human services graduate. That's competitive with elite Northeastern University while maintaining manageable debt levels at $26,352.
The state picture provides useful context: this program sits at the 60th percentile among Massachusetts schools, meaning there are stronger options in-state, but the difference is modest. More importantly, graduates here avoid the debt trap common in social service fields. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58, students can realistically pay down their loans while building careers in a notoriously underpaid sector. Earnings also grow steadily to $48,365 by year four, suggesting stable career trajectories rather than dead-end positions.
For families seeking an affordable path into human services work, this represents solid value. The combination of accessible admissions, strong earning outcomes relative to program peers nationally, and reasonable debt creates a sustainable foundation. Students won't be saddled with private university bills while trying to serve their communities on nonprofit salaries.
Where Fitchburg State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Fitchburg State University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitchburg State University | $45,641 | $48,365 | +6% |
| Fisher College | $35,289 | $44,634 | +26% |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs | $45,799 | $37,367 | -18% |
| Northeastern University | $45,799 | $37,367 | -18% |
| Cambridge College | $44,287 | $37,169 | -16% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Human Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (12 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg | $11,046 | $45,641 | $48,365 | $26,352 | 0.58 |
 Northeastern University Professional ProgramsBoston | — | $45,799 | $37,367 | $26,000 | 0.57 |
| Northeastern UniversityBoston | $63,141 | $45,799 | $37,367 | $26,000 | 0.57 |
 Cambridge CollegeBoston | $18,072 | $44,287 | $37,169 | $32,524 | 0.73 |
 Fisher CollegeBoston | $35,013 | $35,289 | $44,634 | $29,935 | 0.85 |
| National Median | — | $36,630 | — | $31,573 | 0.86 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human services graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fitchburg State University, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 50 graduates with reported earnings and 58 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.