Human Services at University of Nevada-Las Vegas

UNLV's Human Services program starts with first-year earnings of $34,359—below the national median but notably better than you might expect given its place in Nevada's limited landscape. With only two schools offering this degree in-state, UNLV sits at the 40th percentile for Nevada earnings, trailing University of Phoenix's graduates by about $5,000 annually. More concerning is the national picture: at the 26th percentile, three-quarters of Human Services programs nationwide deliver stronger initial earnings.

The debt side offers better news. At $26,945, UNLV graduates carry roughly $12,000 less debt than the Nevada median and about $5,000 less than the national benchmark. This lower debt load creates a manageable 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning graduates owe less than their first year's salary, a reasonable starting point for this field. Earnings do improve to $40,084 by year four, a 17% gain that brings graduates closer to national benchmarks.

For families considering this program, understand you're looking at a degree that serves Nevada's social services sector adequately but won't stand out nationally. The lower debt partially offsets weaker earnings, making this viable for students committed to human services work and planning to stay in Las Vegas, where cost of living and local networks matter. If your child can access University of Phoenix's online program at similar cost, that's worth comparing closely.