Human Development, Family Studies, at Pacific Oaks College

Pacific Oaks graduates earn $7,000 more than the typical California program in this field, with first-year earnings of $39,077 placing them among the highest in the state. This is notable for a field where most graduates start in the low $30,000s—they're outearning programs at UC San Diego and several CSU campuses. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile statewide (solid but not top-tier), it punches well above its weight nationally, landing in the 92nd percentile.

The tradeoff comes with debt. At $27,715, graduates carry about $9,400 more than the California median for this degree. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71 remains manageable—far better than many programs that saddle graduates with debt exceeding their first-year salary. Earnings growth of 14% over four years suggests decent career progression, though this field doesn't typically offer explosive salary growth.

For families committed to human development or family studies careers, Pacific Oaks delivers stronger earning potential than most alternatives. The higher debt is real, but graduates appear positioned to handle it given their earnings advantage. The 10% admission rate and high Pell grant enrollment (55%) suggest the school is selective yet accessible to students from various economic backgrounds, which may contribute to its strong outcomes.