Human Services at Purdue University Fort Wayne

Human Services bachelor's degrees in Indiana typically yield first-year earnings around $37,000, and this program's estimated outcomes align with that state median. At roughly $28,000 in debt—notably lower than the $44,000 median for comparable programs in Indiana—the estimated 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates would need about nine months of gross income to cover their borrowing. That's a manageable starting point for a helping profession, though it doesn't indicate strong immediate earning potential.

The field itself presents constraints worth understanding. Nationally, human services bachelor's degrees produce median earnings of $36,630, with even the top quartile barely breaking $40,000. These figures reflect the sector's reality: meaningful work with communities often comes with nonprofit-level compensation. The estimated debt load here is at least reasonable compared to peer programs, which matters when salary growth may be gradual.

For families banking on quick financial returns, this isn't that path. But if your child is committed to social services work and can keep borrowing near these estimated levels, the debt burden shouldn't be prohibitive. The key question is whether they're prepared for the income reality of this field—not just in year one, but potentially for much of their career.