Human Development, Family Studies, at Texas Woman's University

Texas Woman's University graduates start behind most of their Texas peers in Human Development, Family Studies—earning $30,619 in the first year compared to the state median of $32,137—but the trajectory matters here. By year four, earnings climb to $40,816, representing 33% growth that outpaces typical progression in this field. That puts graduates roughly on par with Texas State and above UT Austin's program by mid-career, though still trailing Texas Tech and UH's stronger outcomes.

The debt load of $24,170 sits right in the middle nationally but slightly above Texas's median for this program. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79, graduates face a manageable but not trivial burden—it would take roughly nine months of gross income to repay. Given the school's 95% admission rate and the fact that 40% of students receive Pell grants, this program serves a predominantly access-focused population where affordability matters greatly.

For families evaluating this program, the key question is patience: can your student handle earning $8,000-9,000 less than peers at top Texas programs initially, banking on steady growth to close that gap? The upward earnings curve is encouraging and suggests the degree builds valuable experience over time. But if immediate post-graduation earning power is the priority—perhaps to quickly pay down debt—stronger options exist within Texas's public university system.