Human Development, Family Studies, at Southeast Community College Area

Southeast Community College's Human Development program starts strong but faces a troubling pattern: graduates earn $29,534 their first year out—well above the national median—but see incomes drop nearly 20% to $23,854 by year four. This backward trajectory is unusual and concerning, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means we can't know if this pattern is typical or just reflects a few outliers in the data.

The initial numbers look reasonable. First-year earnings beat 73% of similar programs nationally, and the debt load of $16,165 is fairly standard for community college credentials. With Nebraska's lower cost of living, that starting salary goes further than it would on the coasts. The problem is where graduates end up after a few years in the workforce. If this decline is real, it suggests the credential may not open doors to career advancement, or that graduates are shifting to part-time work or different fields altogether.

For families considering this program, the incomplete picture makes it a risky bet. If your student is certain about working with families or children and plans to stack this associate's with a bachelor's degree, it could work as an affordable first step. But as a standalone credential, the earnings trajectory raises red flags. Before committing, try to connect with recent graduates directly to understand their career paths—the official data alone can't tell you whether this program leads somewhere or hits a dead end.