Human Development, Family Studies, at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State's Human Development and Family Studies program produces concerning first-year earnings of just $21,243—well below both the national median ($33,543) and Mississippi's already-modest state median ($26,132). Even within Mississippi's limited field of six programs, this ranks only in the 25th percentile, with the University of Southern Mississippi's graduates earning nearly $10,000 more annually. When a program significantly underperforms state averages in a state that itself trails national standards, that double disadvantage matters.

The debt burden of $27,500 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.29, meaning graduates owe more than an entire year's salary. While this is slightly below the national median debt for the field, it's considerably easier to manage on $33,000 than on $21,000. At these income levels, even modest debt payments can strain a budget, particularly during the critical first years of establishing financial independence.

For families considering this program, the fundamental question is whether these outcomes align with your financial expectations. If your child is passionate about this field, exploring why similar programs elsewhere—including within Mississippi—produce substantially better early-career outcomes would be prudent. The moderate sample size suggests these numbers reflect real patterns rather than statistical noise.