Human Services at Peirce College

Similar Human Services bachelor's programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $35,000—right in line with the state median—but with an estimated debt load of $43,125 that exceeds what most peer programs report. That debt figure is roughly $11,500 above the national median for this degree, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.23 that means your child would owe more than they're likely to earn in their first year. With over half of Peirce students receiving Pell grants, this debt burden could hit lower-income graduates particularly hard.

The challenge here is twofold: Human Services degrees generally produce modest earnings regardless of where you attend, but the estimated debt at Peirce appears higher than what other Pennsylvania schools typically saddle graduates with. Comparable programs at Chestnut Hill and Pennsylvania College of Technology show similar or slightly better earnings projections, and if their debt loads follow typical patterns, they may offer more favorable financial outcomes. The field itself is service-oriented and socially valuable, but it rarely commands high salaries early on.

Before committing, ask Peirce directly about typical graduation debt for this specific program and whether their outcomes track better than these state-level estimates suggest. If the debt figure proves accurate, your child needs a clear plan for managing $43,000 in loans on a $35,000 salary—that's a tight budget that could delay other financial goals for years.