Human Development, Family Studies, at Southern Nazarene University

Southern Nazarene's Human Development program posts impressive first-year earnings of $41,062—beating the national median by over $7,500 and landing in the 95th percentile nationally. That's a strong start. However, the Oklahoma context tells a more nuanced story: these graduates earn roughly on par with Oklahoma State's program but carry significantly more debt ($38,563 versus the state median of $23,858). That debt burden, nearly equal to a full year's salary, is heavier than 95% of similar programs nationwide.

The real concern is stagnation: earnings barely budge over four years, growing just $471 total. For a program serving many lower-income students (45% receive Pell grants), that flat trajectory means debt will dominate the financial picture for years. The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—adds uncertainty to these figures, making it harder to predict future outcomes confidently.

For families evaluating this program: the debt load deserves careful scrutiny. If your student can access this program with substantially less borrowing—through scholarships, family support, or outside aid—the strong initial earnings make it workable. But at full borrowing levels, graduates face a tough payoff period with little wage growth to ease the burden. Compare financial aid packages closely with Oklahoma State, which delivers similar earnings at lower debt levels.