Human Services at University of Oregon

University of Oregon's Human Services program positions graduates slightly below the national earnings median but manages debt exceptionally well. Starting at $35,678 and climbing to $43,416 by year four represents solid 22% growth, though the initial salary lands at the 40th percentile nationally. What makes this program notable is the debt picture: at $21,417, graduates carry roughly $10,000 less debt than the typical human services program nationwide, placing this in the 5th percentile for lowest debt burden.

The in-state comparison tells an interesting story. Among Oregon's limited human services offerings (just two schools), UO hits the state median exactly for both earnings and debt. This suggests consistent market outcomes regardless of where you study human services in Oregon. The 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about seven months' salary—manageable by most standards, especially in a helping profession where passion often matters as much as pay.

The practical reality: human services won't lead to high earnings, but UO's version doesn't saddle graduates with crushing debt while they pursue meaningful work. If your child is committed to this field, the combination of reasonable borrowing and steady income growth makes this a sustainable path. The lighter debt load could prove particularly valuable if they pursue graduate education later, which many in this field eventually do.