Human Development, Family Studies, at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern's Human Development and Family Studies program sits right in the middle of Georgia offerings but trails national benchmarks significantly. With first-year earnings of $29,387—matching the state median but falling in the 20th percentile nationally—graduates start well below the $33,543 national median for this major. The debt picture is actually one of the program's stronger points, with $30,500 placing it in the 10th percentile nationally (meaning 90% of similar programs saddle students with more debt).

The concerning element is that even with solid earnings growth of 26% over four years, graduates reach only $37,138 by year four—still trailing where many similar programs start. For a field that typically leads to social services, counseling, or family support roles, these earnings reflect the sector's pay realities rather than program quality per se. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.04 is manageable but leaves little cushion for the first year after graduation.

Parents should recognize this represents a values-driven career path more than a financial optimization. If your student is passionate about working with families and children, Georgia Southern offers an affordable in-state option that won't leave them buried in debt. Just ensure they understand the income trajectory and perhaps consider graduate education in counseling or social work to improve long-term earning potential.