Human Services at Hardin-Simmons University

With debt nearly matching first-year earnings at a 0.89 ratio, this bachelor's program demonstrates the financial tension common in helping professions. Based on national peer programs, graduates earn approximately $36,630 in their first year—which actually exceeds the Texas median of $33,082 for Human Services degrees. The estimated debt load of $32,524 falls below Texas averages too, where comparable programs typically saddle students with closer to $38,800. So while the debt seems substantial, it's relatively contained compared to what students at other Texas schools face.

The real question is whether these economics work for someone entering social services. Human Services careers typically offer modest but stable earnings, and the field rewards persistence more than credential prestige. The national data suggests this program tracks closely with typical outcomes across the country, meaning your child wouldn't be disadvantaged compared to graduates from larger state universities. Nearly 40% of Hardin-Simmons students receive Pell grants, indicating the school serves families who are debt-conscious by necessity.

Here's the practical reality: your child will likely spend their first year or more directing most discretionary income toward loan payments. If they're committed to nonprofit or community-based work—where Human Services graduates typically land—that financial squeeze will be real. But if the alternative is a more expensive program elsewhere in Texas, these estimated figures suggest Hardin-Simmons could be the more manageable path into this career.