Human Services at York County Community College

York County Community College's Human Services program graduates enter the workforce earning less than their peers across Maine—about $5,200 below the state median and roughly $10,000 behind Central Maine's stronger program. While earnings do grow to $34,514 by year four, that's still below what typical Maine graduates in this field earn right out of the gate. The silver lining is manageable debt: at $10,773, graduates borrow about $4,000 less than the state average and roughly half the national median.

That low debt becomes crucial when you consider the modest starting salary. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, graduates can realistically pay off their loans in a reasonable timeframe—unlike many human services programs where debt spirals above $20,000. For students committed to this helping profession and planning to stay in Maine, this represents a financial foundation they can build from rather than a burden that derails their early career.

The significant caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, making these numbers less reliable than larger programs. If your student is serious about human services work in Maine, they should visit Central Maine Community College first—its graduates earn substantially more while working in the same state job market. York County works as a backup option if geography or admission constraints matter, but it shouldn't be the first choice.