Human Services, General at Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, WA · Public · Associate Degree

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

Program Analysis

At $41,008 per year, Human Services, General 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, General 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, General program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Human Services, General 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, 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 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, General 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, General field.
What makes Tacoma Community College's Human Services, General 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Human Services, General graduates?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Human Services, General career paths, including Direct Support Specialist (Alternate Title: Assistant Case Manager). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
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 →