Human Services at Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies

Indiana Tech's Human Services program sits in an uncomfortable spot: graduates earn slightly more than typical Indiana programs initially ($40,180 versus the state median of $37,366), but that edge disappears fast. By year four, earnings drop to $36,707—a concerning 9% decline that runs counter to how career earnings typically grow. This pattern is particularly puzzling given that the program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide for earnings, suggesting it starts reasonably strong before faltering.

The bigger problem is the debt load. At nearly $48,000, graduates carry substantially more debt than peers at other Indiana schools (where the median is $44,418), and far more than the national median of $31,573. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.19 means a year's salary won't even cover what's owed—a tough position for a field where helping others rarely translates to high pay. With over half of students receiving Pell grants, these debt levels hit families who can least afford the burden.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift year to year, but the fundamental challenge remains: human services work is rewarding but rarely lucrative, and this program's above-average debt combined with declining earnings creates financial pressure that could force graduates into decisions driven by loan payments rather than mission. Families should compare costs carefully against Indiana's other options.