Human Development, Family Studies, at Concordia University-Saint Paul

Concordia-Saint Paul's Human Development program delivers strong first-year earnings at $40,593—beating 95% of similar programs nationwide. However, that top-tier national ranking tells only half the story: within Minnesota, where this program competes most directly, those same earnings land squarely in the middle of the pack at the 40th percentile. More concerning, graduates earn less four years out ($37,978) than they did immediately after graduation, an unusual earnings decline in a field where experience typically builds value.

The financial picture does offer one clear advantage: at $30,583, the debt load is notably lower than Minnesota's median of $42,022 for this program. That 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio means manageable monthly payments relative to starting salary. Still, your child would be earning $4,000+ less than graduates from programs like Walden University while facing a shrinking paycheck over time rather than the salary growth most careers provide.

For families weighing this program, the core question is whether the lower debt justifies mid-tier Minnesota earnings that trend downward. If your child is committed to staying in Minnesota for work, they'd likely find better long-term earning potential elsewhere in the state. The program works best for students who value Concordia's campus experience and can graduate with even less debt than average, since the salary trajectory won't bail out heavier borrowing.