Human Development, Family Studies, at North Carolina A & T State University

North Carolina A&T's Human Development and Family Studies program outperforms most national peers—ranking in the 83rd percentile for earnings—but comes with significantly higher debt than typical for this field. Graduates start at $37,458, about $4,000 above the national median and $3,500 above North Carolina's average, with modest growth to $39,672 by year four. The $31,000 debt load, however, puts this program in the 8th percentile nationally (meaning 92% of similar programs have less debt), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83 that's manageable but not ideal.

Within North Carolina, this program sits squarely in the middle—60th percentile—trailing UNC Charlotte's $39,924 but leading several other state options. The premium debt here buys above-average outcomes nationally but not necessarily within the state. Given that over half of A&T students receive Pell grants, the higher debt burden is worth noting for families without significant savings.

The practical calculus: if your child can attend with substantially less debt (through scholarships or in-state tuition assistance), the solid earnings make this worthwhile. At full sticker price with significant loans, you're paying more than most comparable programs charge while getting outcomes that, while good nationally, don't command the top position in North Carolina. The earnings trajectory is stable rather than accelerating, so that first-year salary largely sets expectations.