Human Services at Ottawa University-Kansas City

Ottawa University-Kansas City's Human Services program sits right at Kansas's median for earnings but carries significantly more debt than the national norm—$39,775 versus $31,573 nationally. That gap matters: while graduates earn $35,168 in their first year (placing them in the 60th percentile among Kansas programs), the debt burden is nearly 13% higher than their first-year salary. With 46% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already stretching financially, making that above-average debt load harder to manage.

The program performs slightly below the national median for Human Services graduates, who typically earn $36,630. Among Kansas's five programs, you're looking at middle-of-the-pack earnings—Rasmussen graduates earn about $5,000 more annually with the same degree. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.13 isn't catastrophic, but it means your child will likely face several years of tight budgets while paying down loans on a social services salary.

For families committed to Human Services careers in Kansas, this program delivers credentials that match local market rates. However, the higher-than-typical debt creates financial pressure that compounds the already modest earning potential in this field. If cost is a primary concern, compare total attendance costs carefully with other Kansas options, particularly if Rasmussen or in-state public alternatives offer more affordable paths to similar first-year outcomes.