Human Services at Northeastern University Professional Programs

The 18% earnings decline between year one and year four demands your attention here. While Northeastern's Human Services program initially outperforms 95% of programs nationally, graduates see their median earnings drop from $45,799 to $37,367—a pattern that raises questions about career trajectory or the types of entry-level roles graduates accept. Within Massachusetts, this program lands right at the state median, meaning the premium you might expect from Northeastern's brand isn't materializing for human services specifically.

The $26,000 debt load is lower than both state and national averages, which helps offset the earnings concerns somewhat. At 57% of first-year earnings, you could reasonably pay this down within a few years if you budget carefully. The real issue is that declining income trend: either graduates are switching to lower-paying but more mission-aligned roles, or initial job placements aren't leading to career advancement.

One critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, making these numbers potentially unrepresentative. A single graduate taking a fellowship or moving into nonprofit work could skew the entire picture. If your child is set on human services at Northeastern, dig into career outcomes directly with the program—ask specifically about that earnings drop and where graduates are working four years out. For a field that typically requires emotional resilience over financial reward, you need clarity on whether this path builds toward stability or stays financially precarious.