Human Services, General at Dutchess Community College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Public · Associate Degree

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

Program Analysis

Dutchess Community College's Human Services, General 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, General 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, General 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, General 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, 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 Dutchess Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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, General program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Human Services, General. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Human Services, General 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.
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.
How many job openings are there for Human Services, General graduates?
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 →