Human Services at The University of Tennessee Southern

A Human Services bachelor's from UT Southern would cost an estimated $27,925 in debt—somewhat below the national median for these programs but above what Tennessee schools typically see. With first-year earnings projections around $36,630 based on peer programs nationwide, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76, which falls within manageable territory for social service careers.

The challenge is that these estimates come from similar programs elsewhere, not UT Southern's actual graduate outcomes. Tennessee's Human Services bachelor's programs show considerable variation, with East Tennessee State reporting median earnings of $32,437. If UT Southern's outcomes trend closer to that state figure rather than the national benchmark, the financial picture tightens—$27,925 in debt against $32,437 in income pushes the ratio to 0.86, where monthly loan payments would consume a larger share of take-home pay.

For families considering this program, the estimates suggest reasonable debt relative to earnings potential in a helping profession where salaries rarely soar. However, the lack of school-specific data means you're banking on UT Southern producing outcomes comparable to the national pool. If this career path genuinely excites your child and they're prepared for modest starting salaries typical in human services work, the estimated numbers don't wave red flags—but verify what actual job placements and employer connections look like before committing.