Human Services at Ottawa University-Ottawa

Ottawa University-Ottawa's Human Services program produces graduates who earn slightly below the national median but actually rank in the 60th percentile for Kansas—a state where this field generally pays less. The $35,168 first-year salary lags the $36,630 national benchmark by about 4%, but with only five schools offering this degree in Kansas, the in-state comparison matters more. The debt load of $39,775 is substantial, running 26% higher than the national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.13 that means graduates carry more than a full year's salary in loans.

For families weighing this investment, the numbers require careful consideration. Human services is a helping profession with modest pay by design, and this program follows that pattern while serving a largely in-state population (35% receive Pell grants). The debt level stands out as the primary concern—you're borrowing significantly more than typical human services graduates nationally while earning roughly the same. Rasmussen's Kansas program shows it's possible to graduate students into $40,000+ starting salaries in this state, suggesting Ottawa's outcomes could be stronger.

The practical question is whether the higher debt burden is justified by other factors like smaller class sizes or stronger local employer connections. If your child can attend with less borrowing—through scholarships, living at home, or working part-time—the outcome becomes more viable. At full sticker price with maximum loans, though, you're looking at loan payments that will strain a helping profession salary.