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

Ohio University-Chillicothe's Human Development program significantly outperforms the national field—landing in the 92nd percentile—while charging typical debt levels for this major. At $38,973 starting out, graduates earn nearly $5,500 more than the national median, with manageable student loans at $27,000. That 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can reasonably expect to handle their payments, though the modest 5% earnings growth to $40,855 by year four suggests this field doesn't reward experience as generously as some others.

Within Ohio, the picture is more competitive but still solid. This program sits at the 60th percentile statewide, matching the earnings of Ohio University's main and regional campuses. The debt load also aligns with Ohio's median, meaning you're getting consistent Ohio University quality at this smaller campus without a premium price tag.

The real question is whether $40,000-range earnings justify four years of college investment in this field. If your child is passionate about family services, early childhood education, or community support roles—where this degree opens doors—the numbers work. The debt is controllable and the starting salary beats most peers nationally. Just understand that career advancement may require additional credentials down the line, as the flat earnings trajectory suggests the bachelor's degree alone has limited upward mobility in this field.