Human Services at Southern Wesleyan University

Southern Wesleyan's Human Services program lands near the middle of South Carolina options but trails the national market by a meaningful margin. With first-year earnings of $32,290—falling in just the 5th percentile nationally—graduates start well below the $36,630 national median. The $41,027 in typical debt creates a concerning 1.27 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe more than a full year's salary. While this debt figure is actually typical for South Carolina Human Services programs, it pairs poorly with below-average earnings.

The trajectory offers some reassurance: earnings climb 17% to reach $37,681 by year four, eventually pulling slightly above the national median. This suggests graduates gain traction in their careers, though the slow start means spending several years digging out from under that debt load. Among the five South Carolina schools offering this program, Southern Wesleyan ranks roughly in the middle—competitive locally but struggling to match what students earn from similar programs in other states.

For families weighing this option, the math is tight. The moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes, but those outcomes mean starting a helping profession with substantial debt and limited initial earning power. If your child is committed to human services work in South Carolina and has strong ties to this institution, the improving earnings trajectory provides a path forward—just expect several lean years after graduation. Otherwise, exploring programs at institutions where graduates earn closer to national norms would ease the financial pressure considerably.