Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research at Ashford University

Ashford graduates from this program earn more than 95% of Educational Assessment graduates nationwide, but they're paying $10,000 more in debt than the national median to get there. With first-year earnings of $33,086 against $41,944 in debt, graduates face a debt burden 27% higher than their initial salary—a challenging start even with above-average earnings for this field.

The earnings advantage over the typical national graduate ($29,772) amounts to about $3,300 annually, which helps offset that debt load over time. Earnings do grow to $35,756 by year four, though that 8% increase is modest. The broader concern is that this is an education-adjacent field where salaries tend to plateau relatively early, meaning that debt could weigh on graduates for years. California's higher cost of living further compresses what seems like a decent salary on paper.

For families considering this path, the calculation is straightforward: your child will likely out-earn most peers in this specialized field, but they'll start with substantially more debt to service. If they're committed to assessment and evaluation work in education—and you can help reduce borrowing through the four years—the career outcomes justify enrollment. If substantial family loans are required to cover that $42,000 debt load, the narrow salary advantage makes this a risky investment.