Best colleges for Human Services
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 organizations.
433 U.S. institutions graduated 12,186 Human Services students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 44.0000, a specialization of Human Services (CIP 44.00), and leads most directly to the Social and Human Service Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 21-1093).
About Human Services programs
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 organizations. Includes instruction in the social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to particular issues, services, localities, and populations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Human Services program, also known as Human Services, General, focuses on the study and provision of human and social services to individuals and communities. This program prepares students for careers in both public and private human services agencies, equipping them with the necessary skills to address various social issues and support diverse populations.
Students in the Human Services program will gain knowledge in social sciences, psychology, human services policy, and social services law. Coursework typically includes instruction in assessment techniques, planning and evaluation, and the development of care plans tailored to client needs.
Credentials awarded
What Human Services graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree5,776 graduates / yr · 173 institutions47%
- Associate's degree3,979 graduates / yr · 230 institutions33%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,082 graduates / yr · 91 institutions8.9%
- Master's degree898 graduates / yr · 44 institutions7.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years266 graduates / yr · 46 institutions2.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship129 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate40 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks15 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.1%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Human Services completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 14,229 |
| 2013 | 15,788 |
| 2014 | 17,130 |
| 2015 | 17,052 |
| 2016 | 16,468 |
| 2017 | 14,658 |
| 2018 | 14,829 |
| 2019 | 13,624 |
| 2020 | 12,505 |
| 2021 | 13,145 |
| 2022 | 12,405 |
| 2023 | 11,447 |
| 2024 | 11,555 |
| 2025 | 12,186 |
Top 50 institutions for Human Services, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1,250 | 43% | $21,535 | $35,433 |
| 2 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 751 | 43% | $34,565 | $38,461 |
| 3 | Ultimate Medical Academy Clearwater, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 652 | 55% | $20,584 | $20,687 |
| 4 | Purdue University Global West Lafayette, INPublicAssociate'sMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 483 | 50% | — | $20,566 |
| 5 | Walden University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 290 | — | — | $36,492 |
| 6 | Bryant & Stratton College - Online Orchard Park, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 229 | 23% | $14,394 | $31,677 |
| 7 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicBachelor's | 205 | 70% | — | — |
| 8 | Monroe University Bronx, NYPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 180 | 57% | $12,028 | $19,164 |
| 9 | Lindsey Wilson University Columbia, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 142 | 44% | $14,471 | $29,318 |
| 10 | Post University Waterbury, CTPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 131 | 25% | $14,659 | $41,124 |
| 11 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 118 | 50% | $11,672 | $32,938 |
| 12 | Rasmussen University - Minnesota St. Cloud, MNPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 117 | 53% | $19,944 | $33,870 |
| 13 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 112 | 35% | $18,316 | $37,366 |
| 14 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DEPublicAssociate's | 98 | 22% | — | $30,923 |
| 15 | Holyoke Community College Holyoke, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 98 | 29% | — | — |
| 16 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 98 | 56% | — | — |
| 17 | Capella University Minneapolis, MNPrivate for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 97 | 20% | $19,369 | — |
| 18 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor's | 91 | 59% | — | — |
| 19 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 90 | 21% | — | $42,839 |
| 20 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 88 | 11% | $26,445 | — |
| 21 | Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 88 | 32% | — | $41,008 |
| 22 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPublicBachelor's | 86 | 37% | — | $39,173 |
| 23 | Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FLPublicBachelor's | 84 | 45% | — | $36,107 |
| 24 | Columbia College Columbia, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 84 | 42% | $23,247 | $37,571 |
| 25 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor's | 81 | 72% | — | $35,678 |
| 26 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor's | 75 | 69% | — | $36,616 |
| 27 | California State University - Monterey Bay Seaside, CAPublicBachelor's | 75 | 59% | — | $37,501 |
| 28 | Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FLPublicBachelor's | 72 | 41% | — | — |
| 29 | Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 71 | 22% | — | $36,101 |
| 30 | California State University - Dominguez Hills Carson, CAPublicBachelor's | 69 | 43% | — | — |
| 31 | Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate'sMaster's | 67 | 19% | $20,754 | $33,082 |
| 32 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 66 | 77% | — | $33,351 |
| 33 | Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 63 | 26% | — | — |
| 34 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor's | 63 | 65% | — | $39,487 |
| 35 | Community College of Vermont Montpelier, VTPublicAssociate's | 62 | 20% | — | — |
| 36 | Folsom Lake College Folsom, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 61 | 44% | — | — |
| 37 | Moreno Valley College Moreno Valley, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 61 | 34% | — | — |
| 38 | Lincoln University Lincoln University, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 59 | 44% | — | $34,374 |
| 39 | Colorado State University Global Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 57 | — | — | $43,336 |
| 40 | Wilmington University New Castle, DEPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 55 | 20% | $16,588 | — |
| 41 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 54 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 42 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 53 | 35% | — | — |
| 43 | Maysville Community and Technical College Maysville, KYPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 51 | 56% | — | — |
| 44 | Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie, NYPublicAssociate's | 51 | 30% | — | $24,622 |
| 45 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 50 | 31% | — | — |
| 46 | San Diego City College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate's | 50 | 30% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 50 | 81% | — | $32,812 |
| 48 | Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 50 | 49% | $29,887 | $40,336 |
| 49 | Columbia College Sonora, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 27% | — | — |
| 50 | Texas Southern University Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 49 | 22% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Human Services field (CIP 44.00) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 51 states & territories
Where Human Services graduates come from. Each state links to all Human Services programs offered there.
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 pursue careers as Social and Human Service Assistants, with a median wage of $45,120. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 6.4% and approximately 50,600 annual openings in this field, making it a viable choice for those seeking to make a difference in their communities.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 44.0000
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Social and Human Service Assistantsprimary SOC 21-1093 | $45,930 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~50,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Social and Community Service Managers SOC 11-9151 | $80,390 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~18,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other SOC 21-1099 | $56,730 | +4.6% About as fast as average | ~13,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Human Services programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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 and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing, among others.
What kind of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as a Social and Human Service Assistant or in related roles such as Social and Community Service Manager.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 6.4% and about 50,600 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Human Services?+
Human Services is CIP 44.0000 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Human Services (CIP 44.00). NCES defines it as: 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 organizations. Includes instruction in the social sciences, psychology, principles of social service, human services policy, planning and evaluation, social services law and administration, and applications to particular issues, services, localities, and populations.
How many institutions offer Human Services programs?+
433 U.S. institutions reported Human Services graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 51 states & territories, awarding 12,186 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Human Services graduates.
How much do Human Services graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Social and Human Service Assistants occupation, which Human Services most directly leads to, pays a median of $45,930 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Human Services field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $34,931, College Scorecard.
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Human Services graduates, so its figures match the Human Services program page.
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