Analysis
With only a handful of graduates tracked, Ohio University-Southern's Housing and Human Environments program shows graduates earning $38,637 initially—exactly matching both the national and Ohio median. That 66-cent debt load per dollar earned looks manageable on paper, and the 26% earnings jump to $48,770 by year four suggests reasonable career progression. Among Ohio's seven programs in this field, Southern Campus sits comfortably above the state median.
However, the small sample size here matters more than usual. When fewer than 30 graduates are tracked, a few outliers can skew the picture significantly. That perfect alignment with state and national medians—and identical numbers across five Ohio University campuses—raises questions about how representative these figures really are. The near-complete absence of Pell grant recipients (just 12%) also suggests this data may not reflect typical outcomes for students who need financial aid most.
For families considering this program, treat these numbers as a rough guide rather than gospel. The debt level won't crush most graduates, and the earning trajectory moves in the right direction. But before committing, talk to recent alumni directly and understand what specific career paths this degree actually opens in the Ironton area, where job markets may differ considerably from what these statewide averages suggest.
Where Ohio University-Southern Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all housing and human environments bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Ohio University-Southern Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio University-Southern Campus | $38,637 | $48,770 | +26% |
| Ohio University-Eastern Campus | $38,637 | $48,770 | +26% |
| Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus | $38,637 | $48,770 | +26% |
| Ohio University-Lancaster Campus | $38,637 | $48,770 | +26% |
| Ohio University-Main Campus | $38,637 | $48,770 | +26% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Housing and Human Environments bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $6,178 | $38,637 | $48,770 | $25,683 | 0.66 | |
| $6,178 | $38,637 | $48,770 | $25,683 | 0.66 | |
| $6,178 | $38,637 | $48,770 | $25,683 | 0.66 | |
| $6,178 | $38,637 | $48,770 | $25,683 | 0.66 | |
| $13,746 | $38,637 | $48,770 | $25,683 | 0.66 | |
| $6,178 | $38,637 | $48,770 | $25,683 | 0.66 | |
| National Median | — | $38,637 | — | $25,683 | 0.66 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with housing and human environments graduates
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Interior Designers
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Farm and Home Management Educators
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ohio University-Southern Campus, approximately 12% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 25 graduates with reported earnings and 26 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.