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

Ohio University-Zanesville's Human Development program outperforms the vast majority of similar programs nationally, with graduates earning nearly $5,500 more than the national median. At first glance, that 92nd percentile ranking suggests exceptional value. However, the picture becomes murkier when you zoom into Ohio: this program lands squarely in the middle among in-state options, earning exactly what graduates from several other Ohio University campuses make and just $4,000 above the state median.

The debt load of $27,000 matches Ohio's average but sits comfortably below what most programs nationally charge, yielding a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio. Your child would need just over eight months of gross income to cover their debt—a reasonable starting point for a helping profession. Earnings do grow modestly to nearly $41,000 by year four, though this isn't a field known for dramatic salary jumps.

The real question is whether this particular campus offers enough advantage over alternatives. If proximity to Zanesville matters for family or financial reasons, the numbers work fine. But if your child has flexibility on location, Ohio offers identical outcomes at other University campuses and potentially stronger options beyond the 60th percentile threshold this program occupies statewide. The program won't burden your child with debt, but it won't differentiate them within Ohio's competitive landscape either.