Human Services at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion

Indiana Wesleyan's Human Services program starts just above the national median with first-year earnings of $37,366, but then takes an unusual turn: graduates actually earn less four years out ($30,203), a 19% decline that runs counter to typical career trajectories. While the debt load of $40,228 sits well below Indiana's median for this field, it still equals more than a full year's starting salary—and becomes increasingly burdensome as earnings drop rather than rise.

Within Indiana's landscape of Human Services programs, this performs middle-of-the-pack, ranking at the 60th percentile. The program costs less in borrowed money than most Indiana alternatives, but other in-state options like Indiana Tech manage to deliver higher earnings with similar debt loads. The declining earnings pattern suggests graduates may be hitting career ceilings quickly or transitioning into lower-paying roles within the field.

For families considering this program, the core issue isn't the starting point—it's the trajectory. Human Services careers can be deeply rewarding, but this data suggests graduates face economic headwinds after their initial placement. If your child is passionate about this field, factor in that peak earnings may come immediately after graduation rather than building over time, and plan accordingly for how that $40,000 in debt will be managed on a potentially declining income.