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Human Services, General at Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, MA · Public · Associate Degree

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, General. 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, 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 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, General 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, 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.

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

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, 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

Other Majors at Mount Wachusett Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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, General program score?

A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Human Services, General. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.

What's the typical debt for Human Services, General graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College?

At $4,500 in median debt, Human Services, General 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, General 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, General?

There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Human Services, General occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.

What's the AI uncertainty for Human Services, General careers?

The 38% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Human Services, General are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.

Is there demand for Human Services, General workers?

With approximately 82,300 annual openings across mapped careers, Human Services, General offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.

Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →