Human Services, General at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry

Dover, DE · Public · Associate Degree

serving 11,012 students in Dover, DE.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,923/yr, roughly in line with the $29,996 national median for Human Services, General. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 37.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Human Services, General programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Human Services, General's career paths, with 26% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $30,923 far exceeding the $7,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #10 of 46 nationally, this is a top-5% Human Services, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $36,838 are relatively flat compared to the $30,923 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Human Services, General, including Direct Support Specialist (Alternate Title: Assistant Case Manager) (median $45,120/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
49
Score
50
High End
Earnings $30,923/yr (3% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (74% shielded)
Job Market Large (82,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$380K
4.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
38.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
3 of 3
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,930
Out-of-state: $23,656
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,250
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,838
19% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Human Services, General graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Social and community service managers $78,240 +6.4% 61%
Community and social service specialists, all other $54,940 +4.6% 100%
Social and human service assistants $45,120 +6.4% 61%
Social and community service managers
$78,240
+6.4% growth 61% AI-proof
Community and social service specialists, all other
$54,940
+4.6% growth 100% AI-proof
Social and human service assistants
$45,120
+6.4% growth 61% AI-proof

About Human Services, General Careers

Your career in human services begins on the front lines as a social and human service assistant. Working in community centers, nonprofit offices, or government agencies, your day involves hands-on support: helping a family apply for food assistance, connecting an individual with transportation services, or documenting client progress in case management software. This is where you build foundational skills and a reputation for reliability.

Read the full Human Services, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Human Services, General Overview

Human Services, General at Other Schools

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Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Human Services, General at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry?
This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Human Services, General. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How affordable is Human Services, General at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry?
Median debt of just $7,250 against $30,923/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Delaware Technical Community College-Terry rank so high for Human Services, General?
Ranked #10 of 46 programs nationally, Delaware Technical Community College-Terry lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Human Services, General?
Human Services, General connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Human Services, General graduates?
The career paths mapped to Human Services, General have roughly 82,300 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →