BUSINESS Specialization

Human

Human graduates earn $48,597 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,249 and $62,659. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Human

This page covers Human as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Public Administration and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Human is a focused area of study within Public Administration. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $48,597 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 480 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 11,596 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $36,492
Median Earnings · 4yr: $48,597
Colleges Offering: 480
Graduates / Year: 11,596
Avg Net Price / yr: $15,560

How Much Do Human Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Human, a typical graduate earns $48,597, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $35,249 and $62,659, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$36,492

1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$48,597

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$48,799

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

Not every Human graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.

$35,249 25th pct.

$48,597 Median

$62,659 75th pct.

A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $48,597 and an estimated $62,240 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.3 years.

Based on outcomes from 213 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 11,596 students who complete Human programs each year, the majority (54%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

34% 54%

Bachelor's 54%

Associate's 34%

Master's 8%

What Can You Do With a Human Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Human graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Social and Community Service Managers pay the most at $80,390/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what Social and Community Service Managers earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +7.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Social and Community Service Managers

$80,390

$64K $103K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 18,500 openings/yr 209K employed nationally

Social Perceptiveness Service Orientation Active Listening Monitoring Coordination

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.

↗ +7.4% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Social and Human Service Assistants

$45,930

$38K $54K 25th–75th pct.

High school diploma or equivalent 48,900 openings/yr 438K employed nationally

Social Perceptiveness Active Listening Speaking Service Orientation Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.

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.

Top Colleges for Human

Not sure where to study Human? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Grand Canyon University, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ · Nonprofit	1,014	78.9%	$22,472	$42,186
2	Ultimate Medical Academy Clearwater, FL · Nonprofit	639	Open	$20,457	$29,194
3	Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH · Nonprofit	602	99.5%	$36,708	$50,318
4	California State University-Fullerton Fullerton, CA · Public	264	90.5%	$6,555	$62,951
5	Monroe University Bronx, NY · For-Profit	145	67.5%	$14,522	$41,236
6	CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY · Public	123	80.3%	$5,127	$49,365
7	University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY · Nonprofit	117	98.8%	$14,107	$45,036
8	University of Oregon Eugene, OR · Public	109	88.3%	$22,182	$61,324
9	CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY · Public	104	57.1%	$3,203	$56,195
10	California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, CA · Public	100	93.3%	$8,615	$57,162
11	University of South Florida Tampa, FL · Public	94	43.2%	$9,812	$57,743
12	Towson University Towson, MD · Public	94	82%	$17,413	$64,390
13	Western Washington University Bellingham, WA · Public	94	93.3%	$21,193	$62,569
14	California State University-Monterey Bay Seaside, CA · Public	90	97.4%	$13,663	$59,247
15	Colorado State University Global Denver, CO · Public	82	98.4%	$16,510	$76,813
16	Troy University Troy, AL · Public	75	96%	$16,527	$42,062
17	Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX · Nonprofit	74	56%	$20,590	$51,838
18	Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CT · Public	73	Open	$11,513	$41,344
19	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA · Public	66	69.2%	$15,048	$57,552
20	Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA · Public	66	65.7%	$14,977	$43,167

View all colleges

Ranked by Human graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Human program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Human degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Human Degree: Pros & Cons

Human carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 4 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $36,492 at graduation to $48,597 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +7.4% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 67,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availability Offered at 480 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $48,597 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($35,249) and 75th ($62,659) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Human Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Human graduates earn?

$48,597 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $35,249 and $62,659, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the starting salary for a Human degree?

$36,492 in the first year out. That grows to $48,597 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.

What jobs can you get with a Human degree?

Social and Community Service Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $80,390 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.

How long does a Human program take?

Four years of full-time study for a Human bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.

How many colleges offer Human?

480 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.

Is a Human degree worth it?

$48,597 median earnings four years out against $15,560 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the difference between Human and Public Administration?

Human is the narrower of the two: Public Administration covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Human-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.

What skills do employers look for in Human graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Human graduates consistently look for financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.

Is graduate school worth it for Human graduates?

It depends on the program. An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths into management and strategy roles, but the return is strongest at selective schools with strong recruiting pipelines, not everywhere. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Human graduates?

Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +7.3% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Social and Human Service Assistants are among the strongest-growth roles at +7.4%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.