Human Services at California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Services, General
50 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
51
Optimistic
50
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,501/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (26% exposed)
Job Market Large (82,300 openings/yr)
ROI 19.9x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 84 Human Services, General programs Top 10%

Program Analysis

While the raw numbers might appear close to the national average for this field, Cal State Monterey Bay's Human Services program stands out nationally for its effective preparation of graduates. This isn't about high-flying tech salaries, but consistent, meaningful employment in a vital sector. The program’s strength lies in its practical, community-embedded approach, leveraging the diverse social service needs of the Monterey Bay area. You'll find strong pipelines into local non-profits, county social services, and healthcare systems, where the demand for skilled case managers, advocates, and program coordinators remains steady. The moderate AI risk reflects the deeply human, empathy-driven nature of these roles, which resist automation. Your versatility with a "general" human services degree means you can adapt to various community needs. To truly maximize your career trajectory, focus on gaining hands-on experience through internships and networking with local agencies during your studies.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Human Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $592K $591K $555K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.9x 19.9x 18.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.6x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 68% 57%
DegreeOutlook Score 51 50 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,748
Out-of-state: $77,268 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$57,948
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,750
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,518
53% growth from Year 1

About California State University-Monterey Bay

With 95% of applicants admitted, California State University-Monterey Bay prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 5,811 in Seaside, CA. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Monterey Bay →

Top Career Paths

Social and community service managers $78,240/yr
Community and social service specialists, all other $54,940/yr
Social and human service assistants $45,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Human Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Monterey Bay

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Human Services at California State University-Monterey Bay?
A score of 50/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Human Services field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →