Median Earnings (1yr)
$34,032
23rd percentile (60th in GA)
Median Debt
$27,850
12% below national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.82
Manageable
Sample Size
45
Adequate data

Analysis

University of North Georgia's human services program produces graduates earning around $34,000 initially and $37,700 after four years—below the national median but meaningfully above Georgia's state median of $32,000. This matters because you're outperforming most in-state alternatives while keeping debt at $27,850, which is actually lower than both the state and national medians for this field. Among Georgia's six human services programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, suggesting solid middle-of-the-pack performance where it counts most for families paying in-state tuition.

The 11% earnings growth over four years is modest but typical for human services careers, which prioritize stability over rapid income increases. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.82 means graduates can realistically manage loan payments on entry-level nonprofit or social services salaries, though these won't be high-earning careers by any measure. The bigger question is whether your child is committed to service work—this field rewards dedication more than it rewards financially.

For a Georgia family considering human services degrees, UNG offers better value than flashier alternatives like Kennesaw State, with higher earnings and lower debt. Just understand that even the best human services programs nationwide top out around $40,000 initially, so this choice requires accepting income constraints in exchange for meaningful work.

Where University of North Georgia Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all human services bachelors's programs nationally

University of North GeorgiaOther human services programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How University of North Georgia graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of North Georgia graduates earn $34k, placing them in the 23th percentile of all human services bachelors programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Human Services bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (6 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of North Georgia$34,032$37,663$27,8500.82
Gordon State College$33,648$35,501$31,0000.92
Kennesaw State University$30,437$37,958$30,5001.00
Shorter University$30,167$33,307$46,3201.54
National Median$36,630—$31,5730.86

Other Human Services Programs in Georgia

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Georgia schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Gordon State College
Barnesville
$3,475$33,648$31,000
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw
$5,786$30,437$30,500
Shorter University
Rome
$24,044$30,167$46,320

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of North Georgia, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 45 graduates with reported earnings and 52 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.