Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences at Southern University and A & M College

The earnings from Southern University's Family and Consumer Sciences program lag significantly behind both national and state expectations, though the small graduating class—fewer than 30 students—means these numbers may not tell the whole story. Starting at just $25,675, graduates earn roughly $6,000 less than the national median and trail Louisiana's state average by about $1,700. That ranking of 5th percentile nationally is concerning, though the program sits closer to the middle of Louisiana offerings.

The real challenge here is the debt burden. At $39,100, graduates owe significantly more than both the state median ($35,112) and national median ($26,500) for this field. This creates a debt load 1.5 times first-year earnings—a ratio that makes it harder to build financial stability early on. While earnings do climb 34% by year four to $34,456, that's still barely reaching what the national median graduate earns right out of school. The state's top program at Northwestern State produces starting salaries nearly 50% higher.

Given that 65% of Southern's students receive Pell grants, many families here are counting on college to provide clear economic advancement. The combination of high debt and below-average earnings in a field that doesn't typically command premium salaries makes this a risky choice unless your child has specific career goals that require this degree. The small sample size offers some hope that individual outcomes vary widely, but these numbers warrant serious consideration of alternatives—including other Louisiana programs with stronger track records.