Best colleges for Human Services
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Human Services by graduate earnings are Goodwin University ($51,659), Northeastern University ($45,799) and Metropolitan State University ($45,751), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Goodwin University (East Hartford, CT): $51,659, 33 graduates a year
- Northeastern University (Boston, MA): $45,799, 25 graduates a year
- Metropolitan State University (Saint Paul, MN): $45,751, 45 graduates a year
- Metropolitan State University of Denver (Denver, CO): $41,938, 39 graduates a year
- Touro University (New York, NY): $41,021, 31 graduates a year
Compare 433 U.S. colleges offering Human Services by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 51 states.
Human Services programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,931 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 44.00 and the Social and Human Service Assistants occupation (BLS SOC).
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.
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 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goodwin University East Hartford, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,659 | 33 | 58% | $30,133 | $35,166 |
| 2 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,799 | 25 | 91% | $18,925 | $26,000 |
| 3 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,751 | 45 | 44% | — | $31,000 |
| 4 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,938 | 39 | 32% | — | $29,913 |
| 5 | Touro University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,021 | 31 | 72% | $27,110 | $31,525 |
| 6 | Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,336 | 50 | 49% | $29,887 | $43,125 |
| 7 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,487 | 63 | 65% | — | $20,041 |
| 8 | Upper Iowa University Fayette, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,389 | 40 | 34% | $22,697 | $45,388 |
| 9 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,173 | 86 | 37% | — | $30,726 |
| 10 | University of Baltimore Baltimore, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,099 | 21 | 38% | — | $37,809 |
| 11 | Columbia College Columbia, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,571 | 84 | 42% | $23,247 | $39,973 |
| 12 | California State University - Monterey Bay Seaside, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,501 | 75 | 59% | — | $14,480 |
| 13 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,644 | 35 | 54% | — | $19,893 |
| 14 | Towson University Towson, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,616 | 75 | 69% | — | $21,250 |
| 15 | Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,107 | 84 | 45% | — | $13,583 |
| 16 | University of Oregon Eugene, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,678 | 81 | 72% | — | $21,417 |
| 17 | Elmira College Elmira, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,437 | 20 | 65% | $21,992 | $27,000 |
| 18 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,433 | 1,250 | 43% | $21,535 | $30,509 |
| 19 | Simpson College Indianola, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,184 | 7 | 63% | $20,710 | — |
| 20 | Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, MA Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $45,641 | 8 | 55% | — | $26,352 |
| 21 | Cambridge College Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $44,287 | 18 | 11% | — | $32,524 |
| 22 | Colorado State University Global Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $43,336 | 57 | — | — | $44,111 |
| 23 | St. Joseph's University - New York Brooklyn, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $43,105 | 9 | 69% | $17,134 | $35,750 |
| 24 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,839 | 90 | 21% | — | $9,000 |
| 25 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,551 | 2 | 84% | $28,851 | $26,273 |
Top 6 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WA Public · Associate degree | $41,008 | 88 | 32% | — | $17,367 |
| 2 | Central Maine Community College Auburn, ME Public · Associate degree | $40,029 | 29 | 30% | — | $18,250 |
| 3 | Century College White Bear Lake, MN Public · Associate degree Small program | $41,007 | 10 | 31% | — | $37,015 |
| 4 | CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx, NY Public · Associate degree | $36,338 | 23 | 16% | — | $8,071 |
| 5 | Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MA Public · Associate degree | $36,101 | 71 | 22% | — | $17,305 |
| 6 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SD Public · Associate degree Small program | $35,070 | 8 | 76% | — | — |
Specializations within Human Services
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 44.00 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 51 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
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.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Human Services
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 44.00.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 44.00 (Human Services, General) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9151 | Social and Community Service Managers |
| 21-1093 | Social and Human Service Assistantsprimary |
| 21-1099 | Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
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
Knowledge areas
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.
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.
How much do Human Services graduates earn?+
Human Services graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,931, College Scorecard (2019); the Social and Human Service Assistants occupation pays about $47,690 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Human Services?+
Human Services maps to CIP 44.00 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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