Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences at Illinois State University

Illinois State's Family and Consumer Sciences program appears to deliver exceptional starting salaries—nearly $49,000 puts it in the 95th percentile nationally, well above the $31,748 national median. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, and there's an unusual pattern worth understanding: earnings actually drop to $45,159 by year four. This backward trajectory is uncommon and could reflect graduates shifting into different roles, pursuing further education, or the statistical noise that comes with tiny samples.

Within Illinois, the picture is more moderate. At the 60th percentile statewide with the state median at $41,044, this program still outperforms but isn't dominant—though it does beat Eastern Illinois by roughly $16,000 in first-year earnings. The debt load of $20,322 is reasonable at 0.41 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates could feasibly pay this off within a few years even if their earnings follow the declining pattern observed here.

For families considering this program, the standout starting salary is real, but treat these specific numbers as directional rather than guaranteed given the small graduate cohort. The declining earnings pattern deserves a conversation with the program about typical career paths—understanding whether this reflects gap years, graduate school enrollment, or career pivots will help you assess whether this investment makes sense for your child's specific goals.