Human Development, Family Studies, at Northwood Technical College

Northwood Technical College's human development certificate punches above its weight nationally, placing graduates in the 68th percentile for earnings at $23,210—nearly $2,000 more than the typical program of this type. Within Wisconsin, it matches the state median exactly, though that comparison comes with a major asterix: there are only 12 programs statewide, and this cohort graduated fewer than 30 students.

The debt load of $12,000 translates to a manageable 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe about half their first-year salary. That's reasonable for a certificate program and could be paid down relatively quickly if paired with stable employment. The $23,000 starting salary won't support independent living in most Wisconsin markets without additional income, but as a stepping stone credential—perhaps for someone already working in childcare or social services—it offers clear value at a contained cost.

The small sample size is the elephant in the room here. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a handful of outlier outcomes could skew these numbers significantly. If your child is considering this certificate, talk to the program directly about typical job placements and whether graduates use this as a standalone credential or as part of a ladder toward associate or bachelor's degrees.