Home › Dutchess Community College › Human Services

Human Services at Dutchess Community College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Public · Associate Degree · Human Services, General

a smaller institution with 3,696 students in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Program Analysis

Dutchess Community College's Human Services graduates start at $24,622/yr, trailing the $29,996 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 32.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 27% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Human Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,000 in median debt clears fast against $24,622 in annual earnings.

A #28 ranking among 46 Human Services programs places Dutchess Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 35% earnings increase from $24,622 to $33,331 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Human Services careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
38
Low End
43
Score
43
High End
Earnings $24,622/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (74% shielded)
Job Market Large (82,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$354K
7.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
33.1x
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)
$10,692
Out-of-state: $20,292
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$33,331
35% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Human Services 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

Human Services Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Human Services careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Human Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Human Services Overview

View all 46 schools offering Human Services →

Human Services at Other Schools

Tacoma Community College ($41,008) Century College ($41,007) University of Phoenix-Arizona ($40,894) Central Maine Community College ($40,029) CUNY Bronx Community College ($36,338) Quinsigamond Community College ($36,101) Mitchell Technical College ($35,070) Columbia College ($35,001)

Other Majors at Dutchess Community College

Nursing ($80,603) Clinical Laboratory Science ($33,341) Criminal Justice ($26,891) Business Administration ($25,712) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($22,095) Communication & Media ($17,585)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Human Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Dutchess Community College's Human Services program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Human Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Human Services earnings lower at Dutchess Community College?
Lower starting pay at Dutchess Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Human Services program at Dutchess Community College?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Human Services occupations, such as Direct Support Specialist (Alternate Title: Assistant Case Manager) and Peer Specialist (Bureau Of Prisons Only). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Human Services from Dutchess Community College?
The large job market (82,300 annual openings) works in favor of Human Services graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →