Human Services at Monroe University

Monroe University's Human Services program faces a challenging New York market where it trails most competitors. While graduates earn slightly above the national median at $36,940, that figure sits notably below New York's state median of $41,021—landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. That $4,000 gap matters in a high cost-of-living area like the Bronx, especially when CUNY and Syracuse graduates in the same field are earning $42,000+.

The debt load of $31,000 translates to an 0.84 debt-to-earnings ratio, which is manageable but less favorable than it appears at first glance. In New York, similar programs typically carry lower debt ($28,875 median), meaning Monroe graduates face both lower earnings *and* higher debt than the typical in-state alternative. For a program serving majority Pell Grant recipients, that combination creates real financial pressure—monthly loan payments will consume a larger share of take-home pay than for graduates of competing programs.

The solid sample size confirms these aren't flukes. If your child is committed to human services work and Monroe offers the right support environment, the outcomes aren't disastrous—the program produces working graduates with reasonable debt. But given the state landscape, carefully compare financial aid packages against CUNY options or other New York programs where human services graduates consistently clear $40,000.