Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services at Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue's Family and Consumer Sciences Business Services program shows promising earnings growth, but you're looking at extremely limited data—this is the only program of its kind in Indiana, with fewer than 30 graduates tracked. That said, the numbers tell an encouraging story: graduates start at $41,000 and climb to nearly $54,000 by year four, representing 31% growth that significantly outpaces the typical trajectory for this field.

The financial fundamentals look solid. With $19,500 in debt against first-year earnings above $40,000, graduates face a debt burden about half their starting salary—manageable by most standards. The program performs slightly above the national median for both earnings and debt management, ranking in the 60th percentile within Indiana and 63rd nationally. However, given that Purdue is the sole in-state option for this major, those state comparisons don't provide much perspective.

The real question is whether this niche program aligns with your student's career goals. The small graduate cohort suggests either limited program size or very specific career pathways. If your child is genuinely interested in the business side of consumer sciences and confident in the career fit, the debt load is reasonable and Purdue's strong reputation adds value. But treat these numbers as directional rather than definitive—with such a small sample, individual outcomes could vary significantly from these medians.