Human Services at Wingate University

Wingate's Human Services program tells an unusual story: while graduates earn below the national average initially, they're performing right at the median among North Carolina programs. That 60th percentile state ranking matters because most human services careers are local, and you're essentially tied with larger competitors like Lenoir-Rhyne.

The $27,000 debt load is manageable relative to first-year earnings, though not exceptional—you're looking at debt equal to about 82% of that initial $32,843 salary. The real concern is that starting salary itself. At the 14th percentile nationally, Wingate graduates are earning about $3,800 less annually than the typical human services graduate elsewhere. The 22% earnings growth to $40,096 by year four helps close that gap, but you're still playing catch-up to programs that start stronger.

For a family considering this program, the question is whether Wingate's local reputation and connections in North Carolina offset the weaker national standing. The moderate debt won't bury your child, but the below-average starting salary means those first few years will be tight financially. If they're committed to working in North Carolina and value Wingate's campus environment, this could work—just understand they'll likely earn less out of the gate than peers from higher-ranked programs.