Analysis
With $27,000 in debt and four-year earnings reaching $46,441, Hilbert's Human Services bachelor's appears to deliver solid value despite significant data uncertainty. The key challenge: first-year earnings estimates drawn from seven comparable programs in New York suggest starting pay around $41,021—a figure that makes the debt manageable but not particularly comfortable. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 beats the average American bachelor's degree by a wide margin, though it still means your graduate will carry debt equal to about eight months of their first-year salary.
The four-year earnings figure of $46,441 is actual reported data for Hilbert graduates, and it's encouraging—it puts them just below Syracuse's Human Services grads and suggests meaningful salary growth after that uncertain first year. This trajectory matters for a field where experience and credentials often unlock better positions in social services agencies and nonprofit organizations. Similar programs across New York show a tight range from $37,000 to $43,000, suggesting the field itself has fairly predictable (if modest) compensation rather than huge variability between schools.
The real question is whether your child can enter this field with confidence despite the data gaps. Human Services roles—case management, community outreach, victim advocacy—rarely pay spectacularly but offer stable employment and clear advancement paths. If they're committed to this career, Hilbert's actual four-year outcomes suggest the degree delivers on its core promise, even if the exact starting salary remains somewhat uncertain.
Where Hilbert College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human services bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilbert College | — | $46,441 | — |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | $42,839 | $48,162 | +12% |
| Elmira College | $35,437 | $42,107 | +19% |
| Mercy University | $37,274 | $39,753 | +7% |
| Touro University | $41,021 | $39,038 | -5% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Human Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in New York (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $32,150 | $41,021* | $46,441 | $27,000 | — | |
| $34,535 | $43,105* | — | $35,750 | 0.83 | |
| $7,332 | $42,839* | $48,162 | $9,000 | 0.21 | |
| $63,061 | $41,551* | — | $26,273 | 0.63 | |
| $21,810 | $41,021* | $39,038 | $31,525 | 0.77 | |
| $22,106 | $37,274* | $39,753 | $28,500 | 0.76 | |
| 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 Hilbert College, approximately 44% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.