Human Development, Family Studies, at Lesley University

Lesley University graduates in Human Development and Family Studies earn nearly $5,000 more than the national median for this field, placing them in the 89th percentile nationally—an impressive outcome for a program with a 94% admission rate. However, the Massachusetts context tells a more nuanced story: while these graduates match the state median for debt ($21,250), their earnings sit at the 60th percentile statewide, trailing Tufts by about $6,000. Still, they're well ahead of programs at Curry and Merrimack when it comes to early-career earnings.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 is manageable, meaning graduates carry roughly half a year's salary in debt—better than many Bachelor's programs. The real value here appears to be Lesley's accessible admission combined with above-average outcomes in a field that doesn't typically generate high starting salaries. For a family studies program, breaking into the high $30s in year one is solid performance.

The caveat: this data comes from a small cohort (under 30 graduates), so individual circumstances can swing these numbers significantly. If your child is specifically interested in family studies or human development work in the Boston area, Lesley delivers competitive preparation without the debt burden seen at more selective institutions. Just recognize you're paying for reliable mid-tier outcomes in a helping profession, not a high-earning career track.