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

Ohio University's Human Development program charges premium debt for middle-of-the-pack performance within Ohio. While first-year earnings of $38,973 significantly outperform the national median by $5,400 (92nd percentile nationally), this program lands squarely in the middle when compared to other Ohio schools in this field (60th percentile). More concerning is the $27,000 debt load—matching the state median but higher than the national average—combined with minimal earnings growth of just 5% over four years.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 is reasonable, meaning graduates can expect to earn back their debt in roughly 8 months of gross income. However, that static earnings trajectory should catch your attention: starting near $39,000 and climbing to only $41,000 by year four suggests limited career advancement in typical graduate roles. For a program where Ohio offers 21 options, your child isn't getting a clear Ohio advantage despite paying full freight.

If your student is committed to this field and Ohio University specifically, the outcomes are workable—not disastrous, but not exceptional either. The safer bet might be exploring whether other Ohio schools in this program offer similar outcomes with lower debt, or ensuring your child has concrete plans for graduate education or specialized certifications that could break through that earnings plateau.