Human Development, Family Studies, at Tulsa Community College

The standout first-year earnings of $33,103 place this program well above the national median—but that 95th percentile ranking comes with a critical asterisk. The sample size here is tiny (under 30 graduates), meaning a few outliers could be skewing the picture. More troubling is what happens next: earnings drop to just $24,363 by year four, a 26% decline that suggests either graduates are leaving the field or hitting early career roadblocks. Among Oklahoma's 15 programs in this field, Tulsa CC sits at the 60th percentile—respectable but not exceptional—with OSU-Oklahoma City showing similar first-year outcomes.

The debt load of $15,287 is reasonable at less than half of first-year earnings, but it's harder to justify when earnings are trending downward rather than up. For a working-class field where 36% of students need Pell grants, that negative earnings trajectory deserves serious scrutiny. This pattern often indicates either credential stacking (graduates moving on to bachelor's programs and working reduced hours) or limited advancement opportunities with an associate's alone.

Bottom line: The strong start might be real, or it might be a statistical mirage from the small sample. If your child plans to continue to a four-year degree, this could be a solid stepping stone. If they're hoping this associate's will lead to stable, growing income on its own, the declining earnings pattern is a red flag worth investigating through conversations with the program and recent alumni.