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

The small sample size here (fewer than 30 graduates) makes these numbers unreliable, but let's work with what we have: $22,522 in first-year earnings against $11,686 in debt gives you a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52. That's actually better than most associate degree programs, where graduates often struggle with debt loads exceeding their annual income. The concerning part is that $22,522 falls well below the $25,838 national median for this program—though interestingly, it sits right at Ohio's median, suggesting this might reflect broader state economic conditions rather than this specific program underperforming.

What's puzzling is the identical earnings figure across multiple Ohio University campuses, which suggests either very limited data or some quirk in how these regional campuses report outcomes. Given that only 12% of students receive Pell grants (considerably lower than typical community college rates), this program appears to serve a relatively advantaged student population, yet the earnings remain modest.

For an anxious parent, here's the reality: you're looking at a program where graduates earn roughly what minimum wage workers make with limited room for error in the data. If your child is genuinely passionate about early childhood education or family services and understands the financial constraints of these fields, the low debt load makes this feasible. But push them to clarify their specific career goals—these earnings suggest they'll need either additional credentials or a clear path to positions that pay above entry level.