Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76—based on what similar Human Services bachelor's programs produce nationally—suggests a manageable financial path into a field where salaries typically start modest but offer meaningful work. With estimated first-year earnings around $36,600 and debt near $28,000, graduates from comparable programs can reasonably expect to handle their loan payments, though they won't have much cushion for financial surprises early in their careers.
What's worth noting is that Ohio's Human Services programs typically carry higher debt loads than what peer institutions nationally suggest for this campus—state programs median around $32,500 compared to the estimated $28,000 here. This regional campus appears positioned to deliver credentials at a lower cost point than other Ohio options, though without reported outcomes from this specific program, it's impossible to verify whether graduates actually achieve the national earnings benchmark or whether local employment markets support those figures.
The bottom line: if your child is committed to Human Services work and values staying close to home, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable debt relative to likely earnings. However, the lack of actual reported data means you're betting that this program performs like its national peers. Before committing, ask the school directly about job placement rates and typical employers for their graduates—these concrete details matter more than estimated figures when the field itself tends toward service-oriented, modestly-paying roles.
Where Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human services bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Human Services bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,178 | $36,630* | — | $27,925* | — | |
| $21,198 | $51,659* | — | $35,166* | 0.68 | |
| $46,212 | $46,184* | — | —* | — | |
| $63,141 | $45,799* | $37,367 | $26,000* | 0.57 | |
| — | $45,799* | $37,367 | $26,000* | 0.57 | |
| $9,780 | $45,751* | $48,069 | $31,000* | 0.68 | |
| National Median | — | $36,630* | — | $31,573* | 0.86 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human services graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ohio University-Zanesville Campus, approximately 10% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 84 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.