Human Development, Family Studies, at Carl Albert State College

Carl Albert State College's Human Development program graduates earn $24,517 in their first year—already below both the national median ($25,838) and significantly trailing the Oklahoma median of $32,967. More troubling, earnings drop 22% by year four to just $19,091, while graduates from Tulsa Community College's program start at $33,103. Among Oklahoma programs in this field, Carl Albert ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of similar programs in the state deliver better outcomes.

The debt burden here is unusually light at $9,125—among the lowest 5% nationally—which partially offsets the weak earnings. That's about half what typical Oklahoma students in this program borrow. For a family weighing this program, the core question is whether an associate's degree that leads to under $20,000 in annual earnings justifies even modest debt, especially when other state options exist that nearly double those wages.

Given the very small sample size (under 30 graduates), these numbers could shift dramatically, but the current data suggests limited economic returns. If your child is committed to this field in Oklahoma, the comparison schools show materially better outcomes at similar cost. Unless there are compelling geographic or personal reasons to attend Carl Albert specifically, families should explore alternatives with stronger track records.