Human Development, Family Studies, at Southern University at New Orleans

The standout concern here isn't the earnings—graduates actually earn more than the typical Human Development major in Louisiana and match the national median. The problem is the debt burden of $56,000, more than double both the state and national medians for this field. That puts graduates at a 1.66 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning they'll owe roughly 20 months of gross income to cover loans that other Human Development majors typically leave school without carrying.

While this program ranks in the 60th percentile among Louisiana's six schools offering this degree, it's worth noting that even the top-earning program at LSU only pays $29,539 after one year—meaning SUNO graduates are actually out-earning their in-state competition by about $4,000. The real question is whether that premium justifies borrowing twice as much. With fewer than 30 graduates in the sample, these numbers could shift significantly year to year, but the debt figure is alarming enough to warrant serious attention.

For families considering this path, understand that Human Development is a helping profession with inherently modest starting salaries. The SUNO premium over other Louisiana schools is real, but it comes at a steep financing cost that could take years to recover. If your student can access this program with significantly less borrowing—through scholarships, family support, or working while enrolled—the earnings advantage becomes more meaningful.