Human Services at Rasmussen University-Kansas

Rasmussen's Human Services associate's degree starts above both the national median ($33,870 vs. $31,677) and ranks in the 74th percentile nationally—a solid position for a two-year program. However, there's only one other Kansas program to compare against, and the small graduate cohort (under 30) means a few outliers could significantly skew these figures. The bigger concern is what happens after that first year: earnings drop 11% by year four to just over $30,000, suggesting graduates may struggle to advance or maintain their initial positions in the field.

The debt load of nearly $27,000 creates a challenging starting point. While the 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic for an associate's degree, it means nearly a year's salary in loans for a career path where advancement appears limited. With 57% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already facing financial pressure, and this debt burden could feel substantial on a $30,000 salary trajectory.

For parents, the calculation depends on local job market realities and alternative pathways. If your child has specific human services roles lined up in Topeka that value this credential, the initial earnings justify the investment. But if they're exploring the field more generally, community college options or shorter certificate programs might offer similar entry points with less debt—particularly important given the earnings decline rather than growth over time.