Human Development, Family Studies, at Oklahoma Christian University

In Oklahoma, Human Development and Family Studies programs range from $33,000 to over $41,000 in first-year earnings, and comparable programs here suggest starting around $38,000—slightly above the national median but firmly in the middle of state options. The challenge is what happens next: actual four-year earnings of $37,336 show virtually no growth, suggesting graduates hit a plateau quickly. With estimated debt around $26,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 is manageable on paper, but only if you're comfortable with limited salary progression in those critical early career years.

What's particularly telling is the comparison to other Oklahoma programs. Oklahoma State and Southern Nazarene graduates start around $41,000—roughly $3,000 more annually—which compounds significantly over time. That gap matters when you're paying down loans on a salary that appears stuck in the mid-30s. Nationally, this field tends toward modest earnings regardless of school, so the limited growth may reflect the career path itself rather than this specific program.

For a private Christian university charging private tuition, the estimated outcomes suggest you're paying a premium without clear financial returns. If your child is passionate about family studies and values the faith-based environment, that may justify the choice. But purely as a financial investment, peer programs in Oklahoma offer similar or better starting points with comparable debt loads, and the flat earnings trajectory means there's little room for a financial comeback later.