Human Development, Family Studies, at Boston University

Boston University's Human Development and Family Studies bachelor's carries an estimated $21,250 in debt—about $4,000 below the national median for this field—but the earnings trajectory requires careful consideration. Based on comparable programs in Massachusetts, graduates likely start around $36,000, then climb to $44,618 by year four. That four-year figure actually exceeds what the top program in the state (Tufts at $44,345) reports for first-year earnings, suggesting meaningful income growth over time.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 indicates manageable borrowing relative to starting pay, and the trajectory from estimated first-year to actual fourth-year earnings shows 24% growth. However, this remains a helping-profession field where earnings don't match the prestige or selectivity of the institution. At most schools nationally, graduates in this major earn less than what's projected here for Boston University, though whether that premium justifies the full cost depends heavily on financial aid packages and career goals in social services, education, or family counseling.

The four-year earnings data provides the most concrete benchmark we have, showing this program lands graduates in the middle tier of income potential for the field. If your child is committed to work with families or youth development and receives substantial aid to keep actual borrowing near this $21,250 estimate, the numbers could work. Without generous aid at BU's price point, though, the field's earning ceiling becomes a real constraint.