Human Development, Family Studies, at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Starting below $20,000 in annual earnings puts graduates of this program well behind both the state median ($21,010) and nearly $6,000 behind the national average. While Mississippi Gulf Coast's debt load is lower than most programs in the state, the concerning trend here is earnings that actually decline over the first four years rather than grow—dropping to $18,918 by year four.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but they're difficult to ignore. Even within Mississippi, this program ranks at just the 40th percentile, meaning most comparable programs in the state produce better outcomes. East Central Community College, for instance, shows first-year earnings nearly $2,000 higher with the same associate's degree.

For a family weighing this investment, the core issue is that even with relatively modest debt, these earnings levels make financial independence challenging. At under $19,000 four years out, graduates may struggle with basic living expenses, let alone debt repayment. If your child is interested in human development or family studies, exploring bachelor's degree programs or higher-performing associate's programs within Mississippi would likely yield better returns.