Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences at Bridgewater College

The numbers tell contradictory stories here, and the dramatic earnings drop—from $34,466 in year one to $24,700 by year four—is the headline concern. While first-year earnings land at the national 75th percentile for this field, something happens to these graduates that causes income to fall 28% over three years. This isn't typical career progression. It could reflect graduates shifting to part-time work, leaving the field entirely, or entering lower-paying roles after initial positions. Given the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked), these figures might reflect just a handful of individuals whose paths aren't representative of what most students will experience.

The debt load of $26,500 matches both national and state medians, which sounds manageable until you realize year-four earnings barely cover it. At that point, graduates are earning less than the typical bachelor's degree holder nationwide (around $48,000) and would need to dedicate roughly a full year's salary to debt repayment. With only two Virginia schools offering this program—making the state comparison less meaningful—and Bridgewater's high admission rate suggesting it's accessible to most applicants, this looks like a program where outcomes vary widely based on what graduates do with the degree.

Unless your child has a specific career path mapped out with this major—and confirmation that path leads to stable earnings—the declining income pattern should prompt serious questions about whether this particular combination of school and program sets graduates up for financial success.