Human Development, Family Studies, at Florida State College at Jacksonville

Florida State College at Jacksonville's Human Development program starts strong but shows a troubling reversal: graduates earn $31,295 their first year out—higher than 84% of similar programs nationally—but see earnings drop 15% to just $26,595 by year four. That's unusual for an associate degree, where earnings typically climb as graduates gain experience. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, but the earnings decline is worth understanding before enrolling.

The financial terms are manageable, with typical debt around $13,272 creating a 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's roughly half what graduates earn in their first year, which is reasonable. Among Florida's seven schools offering this program, FSCJ sits at the median for both earnings and debt—a middle-of-the-pack option if you're staying in-state. The program serves a meaningful Pell grant population (33%), suggesting it provides access for students from lower-income backgrounds.

The real question is what's causing earnings to fall after graduation. This could reflect part-time work patterns common in early childhood education roles, or graduates transitioning to lower-paying but more fulfilling positions. For families banking on earnings growth to justify the degree investment, these numbers suggest either planning for the lower four-year income from the start or viewing this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree that could unlock better-paying positions.