Human Services at Missouri Baptist University

Missouri Baptist's Human Services program graduates carry $29,389 in debt while earning $36,365 their first year out—numbers that track close to national benchmarks but with limited data behind them (fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort). What matters more for Missouri families: this program outperforms the state median by nearly $3,000 annually, placing it in the 60th percentile among Missouri's ten Human Services programs. That's meaningful when you're comparing in-state options and trying to keep tuition manageable.

The debt load sits below both state and national medians, which helps offset the modest starting salary typical of Human Services careers. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81, graduates should be able to manage their loans without extraordinary financial strain, though they won't have much cushion. The field itself tends toward service work that prioritizes impact over income—counseling, case management, community outreach—so expectations need to align with that reality.

The small sample size means these numbers could shift dramatically with a different cohort, so don't treat them as gospel. If your child is committed to Human Services work and plans to stay in Missouri, this program performs respectably compared to state alternatives. Just make sure they understand they're choosing a career path where financial comfort will come slowly, if at all.