Human Development, Family Studies, at Ashford University

The arithmetic here tells a troubling story: graduates earn roughly $37,000 initially but watch their income drop to $33,000 by year four—a decline that runs opposite to the typical career trajectory. Meanwhile, they're carrying $36,000 in debt, nearly double California's median of $18,000 for this same degree. That means students are borrowing at premium prices while earning middle-of-the-pack salaries that actually shrink over time.

Yes, first-year earnings outpace the national average and land in the 60th percentile among California programs. But this advantage evaporates quickly, and the debt burden remains. Compare this to Cal State East Bay, where graduates in the same field earn $41,000, or even UC San Diego at $34,000—both with presumably lower debt loads. The pattern suggests either graduates are moving into lower-paying positions after their first jobs, or their initial placements don't lead to advancement.

For families weighing this investment, the math is stark: you're paying nearly twice the California norm in debt for outcomes that decline rather than grow. Unless there are specific career connections or geographic ties that make Ashford uniquely valuable, California offers multiple state university options that deliver similar or better earnings with significantly less debt. That difference—potentially $15,000 to $20,000 less borrowed—matters enormously at these income levels.