Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences at Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University's Family and Consumer Sciences program starts graduates at just $27,346—dramatically below the national median of $31,748 and landing in the bottom 5th percentile nationally. That's a sobering earnings gap of over $4,000 annually compared to peers at other schools. However, the picture changes when you look at Utah specifically: this program sits right at the state median for earnings, meaning the low starting salary reflects a statewide reality for this field rather than a Southern Utah-specific problem.

The debt side offers real relief. At $14,292, graduates carry about half the typical national debt load for this degree ($26,500), and that 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio means students can theoretically pay off loans in roughly six months of gross income. The 26% earnings growth to $34,561 by year four is encouraging and suggests career progression, though graduates are still earning modestly by any measure.

For families considering this program, understand you're choosing a field with inherently low earnings in Utah—not a weak program within a strong field. If your student is committed to this career path, Southern Utah's low debt burden makes it a financially responsible choice compared to pricier alternatives. But if financial outcomes drive the decision, this degree won't generate the income needed to quickly build wealth, regardless of where it's earned.