Human Development, Family Studies, at Grambling State University

A first-year salary of $23,073 combined with $53,588 in debt creates an impossible financial equation for graduates. That debt load is more than double the typical burden for this field nationally, while earnings fall far below what peers at other Louisiana schools achieve—Southern University at New Orleans graduates earn nearly 50% more right out of college.

Even accounting for the small sample size that makes these numbers less reliable, the pattern is troubling. Most Louisiana programs in this field carry about $30,000 in debt and produce starting salaries around $28,000. This program's debt-to-earnings ratio of 2.32 means graduates face roughly $400 monthly student loan payments on a salary of less than $2,000 per month before taxes. The university serves a predominantly low-income student population (72% receive Pell grants), which makes the high debt burden especially concerning—these families have fewer financial safety nets if graduates struggle with payments.

For families considering this program, understand that you're looking at among the highest debt and lowest earnings outcomes in the state for this degree. Unless your family has specific connections to Grambling or this exact program fills a unique need, exploring the alternatives at LSU, UL Lafayette, or even Louisiana Tech would likely position your student with less debt and better earning potential from day one.