Human Services at Indiana Institute of Technology

Indiana Tech's Human Services program shows first-year graduates earning $40,180—beating both the state and national medians—but the trajectory raises questions. By year four, earnings drop to $36,707, a 9% decline that stands out when most graduates expect steady income growth. Among Indiana's ten Human Services programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, meaning it performs slightly above middle-of-the-pack within the state. The bigger concern is the $47,683 debt load, which exceeds the Indiana median by about $3,000 and sits in the 10th percentile nationally (meaning 90% of similar programs nationwide leave students with less debt).

That debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.19 means graduates owe more than a full year's salary, creating financial pressure right out of the gate. When earnings decline rather than grow, this burden becomes harder to manage. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, but the pattern suggests graduates may face limited advancement opportunities or field transitions that reduce their earning potential.

For families weighing this program, the initial salary looks promising, but the combination of high debt and declining earnings creates real risk. Unless your child has specific connections to Indiana Tech's career network or unique program features that justify the premium, exploring lower-debt alternatives among Indiana's other Human Services programs would be prudent.