Human Development, Family Studies, at Somerset Community College

Somerset Community College's Human Development program shows earnings well below what most Kentucky students achieve in the same field—landing at the state's 40th percentile—but the absolute numbers reveal something more troubling. One year after graduation, the median student earns just $14,888, barely above minimum wage even with associate's degree in hand. While earnings do climb 21% over four years to $18,028, that's still about $20,000 less annually than the typical Family Studies associate's graduate nationwide.

The debt burden appears moderate at first glance ($11,364), but that figure becomes problematic when set against the extremely low starting salary. Parents should know that Campbellsville University's similar program—admittedly a bachelor's degree—produces graduates earning $37,685, more than double Somerset's outcome. Even West Kentucky Community College, a fellow two-year institution, reports median earnings of $17,435, suggesting Somerset's results aren't simply a function of associate-level credentials in this field.

The caveat here matters: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances could skew the picture significantly. But even accounting for that uncertainty, these earnings struggle to justify the investment, particularly for families relying on student loans. If a child is drawn to human development or family studies, exploring programs at other Kentucky community colleges—or considering whether a bachelor's degree becomes necessary for viable employment—would be prudent first steps.