Human Services at Rivier University

With comparable bachelor's programs in Human Services nationally carrying around $32,500 in debt, this field presents a challenging financial equation from the start. First-year earnings typically hover near $36,600—a figure that suggests graduates can expect to manage their debt burden, but without much cushion. The 0.89 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in workable territory, though it leaves little room for the setbacks that often accompany early-career work in human services, where salaries grow slowly and burnout runs high.

New Hampshire's Human Services landscape appears slightly more favorable than the national picture, with peer programs in the state showing median earnings around $38,500. Still, state programs also tend to carry heavier debt loads—nearly $37,000 on average—which erodes much of that earnings advantage. For Rivier specifically, the estimated debt figure tracks closer to the national median than the state's higher average, which could prove meaningful over a 10-year repayment period.

The practical reality: your child would likely enter the workforce earning enough to make standard loan payments, but they won't have significant financial flexibility in those first years. If they're drawn to human services work because of genuine commitment to the field rather than earnings potential, these estimated figures suggest a manageable if modest financial outcome. If they're unsure about their career direction, pursuing this degree at a lower debt level—through community college transfer credits or in-state public options—would provide more breathing room.