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Human Services at Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, MA · Public · Associate Degree · Human Services, General

a compact campus enrolling 2,554 students in Gardner, MA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $22,370/yr fall 25% below the $29,996 national median for Human Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 30.9x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Human Services programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Human Services's career paths, with 26% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 38% gap from the optimistic case.

At $4,500 in median debt against $22,370 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #36 of 46 Human Services programs, Mount Wachusett Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $34,238 show a 53% jump from the $22,370 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Human Services, 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.

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
35
Low End
40
Score
41
High End
Earnings $22,370/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (74% shielded)
Job Market Large (82,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$378K
11.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
31.5x
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)
$12,000
Out-of-state: $21,840
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,500
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,238
53% 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

See the full career breakdown for Human Services — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College and 45 other schools.

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 Mount Wachusett Community College

Nursing ($74,618) Dental Assisting ($68,670) Practical Nursing ($62,720) Medical Assisting ($45,300) Medical Assisting ($44,710) Business Administration ($43,503) Business ($42,825) Computer Science ($38,975)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Human Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Mount Wachusett Community College's Human Services program score?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Human Services. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the typical debt for Human Services graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College?
At $4,500 in median debt, Human Services graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Mount Wachusett Community College a good choice for Human Services despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Mount Wachusett Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Human Services?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Human Services career paths, including Direct Support Specialist (Alternate Title: Assistant Case Manager). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Mount Wachusett Community College.
What's the AI uncertainty for Human Services careers?
The 38% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Human Services are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Will Human Services graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College find jobs?
Job availability for Human Services is strong — 82,300 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Mount Wachusett Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in MA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →