Human Services at Metropolitan Community College Area

Metropolitan Community College Area's Human Services associate program stands out primarily for one reason: graduates leave with less than half the typical debt burden. At $9,728, that's $10,000+ below the national median for this degree, which matters enormously when starting salaries hover around $34,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 means graduates owe roughly three months of their first-year income—a manageable starting point for a helping profession known for modest pay.

The earnings themselves tell a more nuanced story. First-year pay of $34,392 beats the national median by about $3,000 and lands in the 78th percentile nationally—solid performance for an associate degree. However, with only two schools in Nebraska offering this program, the state comparison is less meaningful. The real question is whether $34,000 provides enough runway in Omaha's economy for someone entering social services work.

For families concerned about educational debt weighing down a graduate starting a service-oriented career, this program delivers what matters most: access to the field without crushing loans. The caveat about small sample size deserves mention—fewer than 30 graduates means one exceptional year could skew these numbers. Still, the low-debt model makes this a relatively low-risk entry point into human services work, especially for students who might continue their education later while already working in the field.