Human Development, Family Studies, at Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus

The small sample size here makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions, but the available data suggests graduates face a challenging early earning period with first-year income of just $22,522—well below the national median for this degree. However, there's an important bright spot: this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Ohio programs, performing better than many in-state alternatives despite earning below the national average. The debt load of $11,686 is relatively modest, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.52.

For anxious parents, the key question is whether this associate's degree serves as a stepping stone to a bachelor's or directly to family services careers. At $22,522, graduates earn near poverty-level wages for a single person supporting others, which may require supplemental income or advancement. The identical earnings figures across multiple Ohio University campuses suggest this may be program-level data rather than campus-specific outcomes, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already limited dataset.

The manageable debt is this program's strongest feature—you're not saddling your child with outsized loans for entry-level earnings. But be realistic: these starting wages likely mean your child will need either family financial support, additional education, or a second income stream during those early career years. If this is a stepping stone toward a bachelor's degree in social work or education, the investment makes more sense than if it's intended as a terminal credential.