Human Development, Family Studies, at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Graduates of this program earn $27,373 in their first year—nearly $6,000 below the national median and roughly $900 below Louisiana's state median. While ranking in the 40th percentile within Louisiana might sound middling, context matters: among the six Louisiana schools offering this degree, Northwestern sits fourth, trailing Southern-New Orleans by over $6,000 and LSU by more than $2,000 annually. That gap compounds quickly over a career.

The debt burden intensifies these concerns. At $31,000, graduates carry $6,000 more than the national median for this field and about $1,400 above Louisiana's typical debt load. The 1.13 debt-to-earnings ratio means students borrow more than they'll earn in their entire first year—a challenging starting position for fields that typically require graduate education for higher earning potential. With 35% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already navigating financial constraints.

For families considering this program, the math is straightforward but sobering: starting salaries in the mid-$20s make $31,000 in debt a substantial burden. If your student is committed to human development or family studies, exploring options at Southern-New Orleans or LSU could yield better financial outcomes. Otherwise, understand that this degree may require either graduate school or significant time to achieve financial stability.