Human Services at University of Phoenix-California

This Human Services program delivers solid early earnings that outperform most peers nationally, but comes with a concerning debt burden that significantly undermines its value. Graduates earn $39,554 in their first year—ranking in the 71st percentile nationally and 60th percentile among California's limited Human Services programs. However, these earnings come at a steep price: $50,140 in median debt, which is 59% higher than the national average and 60% above California's typical debt load for this field.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.27 means graduates owe more than their entire first-year salary, creating immediate financial strain. More troubling is the complete lack of earnings growth—income barely budges over four years, suggesting limited career advancement potential. While University of Phoenix-California's graduates do earn slightly more than those from Cal State Monterey Bay initially, the massive debt difference makes this a poor trade-off.

For a field focused on helping others, this program saddles graduates with financial stress that could undermine their ability to pursue meaningful but modestly-paid social service careers. Unless your family can significantly reduce the debt burden through scholarships or alternative funding, California's public universities offer much better value for Human Services education, even with slightly lower starting salaries.