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Public Administration · Human Services Rank #31 of 84

Human Servicesat Northeastern University

Graduates earn $45,799/yr in their first year — about 23.0% above the national Human Services average. Base-case 10-year earnings $591K; scenarios range from $555K to $592K depending on AI disruption.

Boston, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
38 AT RISK
38
Optimistic
41
Pessimistic
Earnings
$45,799
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$591K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
36% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Northeastern University

Northeastern's Human Services program leverages the university's strong reputation and its prime Boston location, which are key drivers behind the robust career outcomes. The city is a hub for diverse non-profits, healthcare systems, and social policy organizations, offering a rich ecosystem for hands-on learning. Crucially, Northeastern's renowned co-op program allows you to gain significant, paid professional experience within these organizations, often leading to full-time offers or accelerated career progression. This direct exposure to real-world challenges and professional networks helps explain why graduates frequently move into management or specialized roles rather than remaining in assistant positions. To maximize your potential, proactively seek co-op placements that align with your long-term leadership aspirations, as these early experiences are invaluable for shaping your path in this impactful field.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$555K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$591K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$592K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Northeastern University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Human Services graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Social and community service managers
+6.4% 10-yr growth · 18,600 openings/yr
$78,240/yr
Moderate
2
Community and social service specialists, all other
+4.6% 10-yr growth · 13,100 openings/yr
$54,940/yr
Low
3
Social and human service assistants
+6.4% 10-yr growth · 50,600 openings/yr
$45,120/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Human Services

How Northeastern University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Goodwin University
CT · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
4.8x
ROI
Same state (MA)
Northeastern University Professional Programs
MA · Private nonprofit
46
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
Metropolitan State University
MN · Public
54
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
12.2x
ROI
Fitchburg State University
MA · Public
53
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
11.0x
ROI
Colorado State University Global
CO · Public
48
DW Score
$43K
1-yr earn
12.1x
ROI
Also at Northeastern University

Other top programs at Northeastern University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northeastern University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Human Services offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Human Services trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Human Services at Northeastern University

How does Northeastern University's Human Services program score?

This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for Human Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.