Human Development, Family Studies, at Siena Heights University

The $26,000 estimated debt here sits below both the state median and national average for this field, which matters when first-year earnings hover around $35,000—a figure drawn from comparable Michigan programs. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 suggests manageable repayment, though graduates should expect tight budgets early on while working in human services, social work, or family counseling roles that typically anchor this degree's career pathways.

What's harder to assess is how Siena Heights specifically prepares students compared to the state programs with reported outcomes. The schools with actual data—Spring Arbor, Baker College, Central Michigan—cluster tightly around that $35,000-$37,000 range, suggesting Michigan's market for these graduates is fairly consistent. The modest debt load offers some protection against the field's characteristically lower starting salaries, but it doesn't change the fundamental economics: graduates will likely need several years of career progression before their earnings comfortably outpace their debt burden.

For parents, the key consideration is whether their student is committed to careers in family services or child development specifically. These fields reward passion and persistence over quick financial returns, and the estimated numbers here—while not alarming—point to a path requiring patience and probably supplemental certifications or graduate education for meaningful income growth.