Human Services
Quick Facts: Human Services Training
Where it's offered
Human Services programs are offered at 46 schools across 20 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $29,997/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Human Services — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 46 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 36/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Human Services Graduates Do
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.
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With experience, you can advance into a leadership role as a social and community service manager. Your focus will shift from direct client work to overseeing programs, managing budgets, writing grant proposals, and supervising a team of assistants. This leadership track is where your earning potential increases significantly. The demand for both entry-level assistants and experienced managers is growing steadily.
While AI tools may eventually help with administrative tasks like scheduling or analyzing program data, the core of your work—building trust, navigating complex human situations, and providing direct support—relies on distinctly human skills that cannot be automated.
Related programs worth comparing: Community Organization, Social Work, and Behavioral Sciences.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Human Services. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Direct Support Specialist (Alternate Title: Assistant Case Manager)
RAPIDS 1040CB |
Competency | Competency | $38K – $45,120 – $53K | 6.4% |
|
Peer Specialist (Bureau Of Prisons Only)
RAPIDS 2039 |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Time | $38K – $45,120 – $53K | 6.4% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Human Services Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Human Services is offered at 46 schools across 20 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Human Services Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Human Services programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 46 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
Highest Earning Human Services Programs
Schools where Human Services graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tacoma Community College | $41,008/yr | 57 |
| Century College | $41,007/yr | 56 |
| University of Phoenix-Arizona | $40,894/yr | 51 |
| Central Maine Community College | $40,029/yr | 59 |
| CUNY Bronx Community College | $36,338/yr | 52 |
| Quinsigamond Community College | $36,101/yr | 51 |
| Mitchell Technical College | $35,070/yr | 48 |
| Columbia College | $35,001/yr | 43 |
| Saint Louis Community College | $34,931/yr | 55 |
| Metropolitan Community College Area | $34,392/yr | 56 |
Best ROI for Human Services
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Human Services.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College Area | 51.3x | $34,392/yr | 56 |
| Central Maine Community College | 47.1x | $40,029/yr | 59 |
| Community College of Philadelphia | 44.9x | $24,893/yr | 46 |
| York County Community College | 43.6x | $29,599/yr | 50 |
| Saint Louis Community College | 43.5x | $34,931/yr | 55 |
| Tacoma Community College | 40.7x | $41,008/yr | 57 |
| Century College | 39.3x | $41,007/yr | 56 |
| Nassau Community College | 36.9x | $27,581/yr | 46 |
| CUNY Bronx Community College | 36.7x | $36,338/yr | 52 |
| Delaware Technical Community College-Terry | 36.1x | $30,923/yr | 49 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Human Services degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.