Human Services at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Is a bachelor's degree in human services a sound financial bet when debt levels hover around $32,500? For Saint Mary's, comparable programs nationally suggest it might be—but barely. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 means graduates would need to dedicate about 10 months of gross first-year income to eliminate their loans, assuming they earn around $40,125. That's manageable, though not comfortable, and relies on securing employment at or above what similar programs produce.

Minnesota's human services field shows significant variation. While Metropolitan State graduates report stronger earnings around $45,700, other programs in the state cluster near $40,000—right where Saint Mary's estimates land. These peer program figures put Saint Mary's squarely in the middle, neither exceptional nor alarming. The lower estimated debt compared to Minnesota's median of $46,300 for these programs works in its favor, creating slightly more breathing room than some in-state alternatives.

The practical concern is that human services careers often require emotional labor intensive work for modest pay. If your child enters this field genuinely committed to the mission, the estimated financial picture won't derail them—but it won't provide much cushion either. The key question is whether they're prepared for the reality that even at the national 75th percentile, they'd still be earning around $40,000 while managing significant loan payments.