Human Services at Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Human Services, General

a compact campus enrolling 4,248 students in Tacoma, WA.

Program Analysis

At $41,008 per year, Human Services graduates from Tacoma Community College significantly outpace the $29,996 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 43.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 26% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Human Services graduates.

The median debt load of $16,758 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #2 out of 46 programs, Tacoma Community College's Human Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Human Services connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
55
Low End
57
Score
57
High End
Earnings $41,008/yr (37% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (74% shielded)
Job Market Large (82,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$429K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
43.6x
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)
$9,840
Out-of-state: $22,060
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,758
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

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

What can you do with a Human Services credential from Tacoma Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Human Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Human Services Overview

Human Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at Tacoma Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Human Services at Tacoma Community College?
A score of 57/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Human Services field.
What makes Tacoma Community College's Human Services program stand out?
Ranked #2 of 46 programs nationally, Tacoma Community College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Human Services?
If Tacoma Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 2 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Human Services. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Human Services graduates?
The career paths mapped to Human Services have roughly 82,300 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →