Human Services at Loyola University Chicago

A nearly dollar-for-dollar debt-to-earnings ratio should concern anyone paying private university prices for a helping profession. While we can't see this program's actual outcomes, similar bachelor's programs in Illinois suggest first-year earnings around $35,000—against an estimated $32,500 in debt that rivals what graduates carry nationally. That's a tight financial start for a field where early earnings rarely surge, and where Loyola's private tuition structure compounds the burden.

The comparison data from Illinois tell an important story. Two other private universities in the state—Rasmussen and Judson—produce Human Services graduates earning $40,000 to $38,000 in their first year, suggesting Loyola isn't necessarily delivering better employment outcomes despite its higher sticker price. Northern Illinois University's graduates start lower at $29,000, but with significantly less debt typical of public institutions, the financial stress is likely more manageable.

For families considering this path, the question isn't whether Human Services is meaningful work—it clearly is. It's whether taking on substantial private university debt makes sense when the field's compensation structure won't support aggressive repayment. If your child is committed to human services, exploring programs at public universities or private schools with stronger aid packages would preserve the same career path with considerably less financial pressure in those crucial early working years.