Public Administration And Social Service Professions

Best Human Services institutions in the US, ranked by earnings

Compare 418 U.S. colleges offering Human Services by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 49 states.

Institutions
418
offering CIP 44.00
States offered
49
with a program page
With earnings data
107
College Scorecard
Degrees / yr
11,555
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$34,811
1 year after graduation
US pay · Social and Human Service Assistants
$47,090
BLS OEWS 2024

About Human Services programs

The Human Services program, also known as Human Services, General, is an interdisciplinary field focused on meeting human needs through a comprehensive understanding of social and service technologies. It aims to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities by emphasizing prevention and remediation of social issues.

Learn more about Human Services

What you'll learn

Students in this program will acquire essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers topics in psychology, sociology, and customer service, preparing students to develop and implement care plans and assess clients' needs.

Top 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Goodwin University
East Hartford, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$51,6592458%$30,133$35,166
2Simpson College
Indianola, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$46,184763%$20,710
3Northeastern University
Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$45,7992091%$18,925$26,000
4Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,7514844%$31,000
5Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,6412455%$26,352
6Cambridge College
Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$44,2871211%$32,524
7Colorado State University Global
Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,33659$44,111
8St. Joseph's University - New York
Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$43,1051269%$17,134$35,750
9CUNY New York City College of Technology
Brooklyn, NY Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,83911221%$9,000
10Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,9382232%$29,913
11Post University
Waterbury, CT Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$41,12412025%$14,659$54,002
12Touro University
New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$41,0213672%$27,110$31,525
13Tacoma Community College
Tacoma, WA Public · Associate degree
$41,0087932%$17,367
14Century College
White Bear Lake, MN Public · Associate degree
$41,0071331%$37,015
15Grand View University
Des Moines, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,750354%$20,840$30,750
16Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,3364549%$29,887$43,125
17Indiana Institute of Technology
Fort Wayne, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,180348%$20,661$47,683
18Indiana Institute of Technology - College of Professional Studies
Fort Wayne, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,180728%$19,930$47,683
19Rasmussen University - Florida
Ocala, FL Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,1257542%$20,261$46,312
20Central Maine Community College
Auburn, ME Public · Associate degree
$40,0294730%$18,250
21University of Phoenix - Arizona
Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$39,5544021%$15,478$50,140
22University of Phoenix - California
Ontario, CA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$39,554222%$50,140
23Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,4876565%$20,041
24Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$39,3893834%$22,697$45,388
25Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,1738537%$30,726
26University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,0993738%$37,809
27Doane University
Crete, NE Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,613657%$25,103$35,959
28Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,46167043%$34,565$36,787
29Judson University
Elgin, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,671960%$25,200$34,455
30Columbia College
Columbia, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,5718142%$23,247$39,973
31California State University - Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,5017159%$14,480
32Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
Marion, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,36613535%$18,316$40,228
33Mercy University
Dobbs Ferry, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,2741446%$17,604$28,500
34Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,6444854%$19,893
35Towson University
Towson, MD Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,6167269%$21,250
36Walden University
Minneapolis, MN Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,492271$50,495
37Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,365148%$25,407$29,389
38CUNY Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY Public · Associate degree
$36,3381716%$8,071
39Saint Leo University
Saint Leo, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,3124945%$18,986$50,406
40Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL Public · Bachelor's degree
$36,1077945%$13,583
41Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA Public · Associate degree
$36,1015322%$21,703
42Pennsylvania College of Technology
Williamsport, PA Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,7873253%$42,463
43University of Oregon
Eugene, OR Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,6788372%$21,417
44Elmira College
Elmira, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,4371765%$21,992$27,000
45Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,4331,20943%$21,535$30,509
46Fisher College
Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,2892628%$26,273$29,935
47Grace Christian University
Wyoming, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,2052151%$14,254$36,149
48Ottawa University - Kansas City
Overland Park, KS Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,1683$39,775
49Ottawa University - Milwaukee
Brookfield, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,1685$39,775
50Ottawa University - Online
Overland Park, KS Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,168443%$39,775

Offered across 49 states

The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.

StateInstitutionsMedian earningsTop institution by earnings
Connecticut4$51,659Goodwin University
Massachusetts18$44,287Northeastern University
Colorado4$43,336Colorado State University Global
Iowa11$40,750Simpson College
Indiana11$40,180Indiana Institute of Technology
Maine5$40,029Central Maine Community College
California61$39,554University of Phoenix - California
Washington8$39,487Tacoma Community College
Maryland4$39,099University of Baltimore
Nebraska5$38,613Doane University
New Hampshire5$38,461Southern New Hampshire University
Minnesota22$36,492Metropolitan State University
Missouri10$36,365Columbia College
Florida12$36,107Rasmussen University - Florida
Oregon5$35,678University of Oregon
Arizona8$35,433University of Phoenix - Arizona
Michigan6$35,205Grace Christian University
Kansas6$35,168Ottawa University - Kansas City
South Dakota5$35,070Mitchell Technical College
Nevadalimited2$34,359University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Illinois11$33,870Judson University
Wisconsin9$33,870Ottawa University - Milwaukee
North Dakota7$33,870Rasmussen University - North Dakota
Virginia3$33,808Bluefield University
Pennsylvania20$33,674Chestnut Hill College
Georgia6$33,648University of North Georgia
Texas10$33,082Wayland Baptist University
Kentucky14$32,938University of the Cumberlands
North Carolina14$32,843Lees - McRae College
Delaware4$32,812University of Delaware
Tennessee5$32,437East Tennessee State University
South Carolina12$32,290Anderson University
Oklahomalimited2$32,083East Central University
New York43$31,677St. Joseph's University - New York
Ohio12$31,677Bryant & Stratton College - Parma
Alabamalimited1
Alaskalimited2
Arkansas3
District of Columbialimited1
Hawaiilimited2
Mississippilimited1
Montana3
New Jersey7
New Mexico3
Rhode Islandlimited1
Utahlimited1
Vermontlimited1
Wyominglimited2
West Virginialimited2

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1093, Social and Human Service Assistants, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Human Services program can expect a positive job outlook, with a projected growth rate of 6.4% and approximately 50,600 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this field is $45,120, and typical entry-level education required is a high school diploma or equivalent.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+6.4%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~50,600
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$45,120
typically High school diploma or equivalent
National employment
424,220
Social and Human Service Assistants
US average pay
$47,090
annual, BLS OEWS 2024
US median pay
$45,120
annual

Top-paying metros

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$62,420avg
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
$61,280avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$60,770avg
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA
$59,460avg
Salinas, CA
$58,830avg

Related careers

Social and Human Service Assistants
$47,090 avg · 424,220 jobs
Social and Community Service Managers
$86,100 avg · 195,490 jobs
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
$58,360 avg · 110,390 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Human Services programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Speaking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Monitoring
Writing
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service
Psychology
Therapy and Counseling
English Language
Administrative
Sociology and Anthropology

What graduates do on the job

  • Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
  • Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
  • Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
  • Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
  • Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
  • Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.

Tools & technology

Database softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareMEDITECH softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPoint

Concentrations within Human Services

Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).

  • Human Services, General
    CIP 44.0000

    A program that focuses on the general study and provision of human and social services to individuals and communities and prepares individuals to work in public and private human services agencies and

Common questions

What is the focus of the Human Services program?+

The program focuses on meeting human needs through an applied knowledge base, emphasizing prevention and remediation of social issues.

What skills will I develop in this program?+

Students will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing, among others.

What career opportunities are available after graduation?+

Graduates can pursue various careers in public administration and social services, with a strong job outlook.

What is the typical education required for this field?+

Most positions in Human Services require at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Related programs

Other programs in the same field of study.

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