Human Development, Family Studies, at Montclair State University

Montclair State's Human Development and Family Studies program lands squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, but that middle ground comes with a reality check about first-year earnings. At $34,109, graduates earn slightly above the national median for this field, ranking in the 60th percentile among New Jersey programs (though only two NJ schools offer this degree, limiting comparison value). The $25,250 debt load is typical for the field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74—manageable, but it means nearly a full year's salary will go toward loan repayment.

The challenge here isn't unique to Montclair—it's inherent to the field itself. Human development and family studies programs nationally produce modest early-career earnings, and even top performers in this major rarely break $40,000 in their first year. This program serves a substantial number of Pell Grant recipients (44% of the student body), suggesting it provides access to students who might otherwise struggle to enter helping professions. The moderate debt relative to earnings means graduates won't be drowning, but they'll need to budget carefully in those first years.

For families considering this path, understand that passion for the field matters more than financial optimization here. If your child is committed to careers in social services, family counseling, or child development, Montclair delivers typical preparation at a typical cost. Just ensure they enter with eyes open about the salary reality and have a plan for managing that debt on a helping-profession income.