Human Services at University of Mary

A debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0 sounds manageable on paper, but for Human Services graduates, this field's modest compensation ceiling matters more than the initial numbers suggest. Similar programs across the country indicate first-year earnings around $36,600, while this program's estimated debt of $32,500 represents nearly a full year's salary—a heavy burden for graduates entering a helping profession known for constrained wage growth rather than rapid advancement.

North Dakota's human services landscape adds another wrinkle. The one program in the state with reported data shows graduates earning $40,125—about $3,500 more annually—though state programs typically carry higher debt loads (median $46,300). University of Mary's estimated debt falls below that state average, which provides some breathing room. Still, human services roles rarely offer the salary jumps seen in business or technical fields, meaning that initial debt burden tends to persist rather than shrink quickly over time.

For parents, the question becomes whether their child has exhausted more affordable paths into this field. Many human services positions accept applicants with associate degrees or certificates, and some employers offer tuition assistance for bachelor's completion. Given the estimation uncertainty here and the field's salary constraints, starting with lower-cost credentials while working in the field could prove financially wiser than taking on $32,000+ in debt upfront—especially if your child remains uncertain about long-term career direction within human services.