Human Services at Ottawa University-Online

Ottawa University-Online's human services program delivers results that look better within Kansas than they do nationally. While graduates earn $35,168 in their first year—landing at just the 34th percentile compared to human services programs nationwide—this figure matches Kansas's state median and places the program at the 60th percentile among in-state options. For families comparing local alternatives, this online program performs competitively with its campus-based counterparts.

The debt load of $39,775 creates a manageable but tight first-year scenario, with graduates owing 1.13 times their initial salary. This ratio sits slightly above the sweet spot most financial advisors recommend, though it's below the national median debt for human services degrees. Graduates will need to budget carefully in their early career years, but the field's stability and potential for advancement—typical in human services roles—should make repayment achievable over the standard 10-year timeline.

For Kansas families seeking an online human services degree, this program represents a middle-of-the-road value: not exceptional, but consistent with what the state offers for this career path. The real consideration is whether human services itself, with its characteristically modest starting salaries regardless of where you study, aligns with your child's financial goals and passion for social impact work.