Human Development, Family Studies, at University of Arizona

University of Arizona's Human Development and Family Studies program outperforms most similar programs nationally, with first-year earnings of $36,445 placing graduates in the 76th percentile—well above the national median of $33,543. More impressively, graduates carry just $20,400 in debt, significantly less than the national median of $25,000, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 that most parents would find manageable. Earnings climb steadily to $43,457 by year four, a 19% increase that suggests graduates are building viable careers rather than stagnating in entry-level positions.

The state context here is limited since Arizona has only one institution offering this specific program, but the comparative national data tells an encouraging story. This program costs students less and pays more than three-quarters of comparable programs across the country. For families concerned about the modest starting salary typical of social services and family-oriented careers, the controlled debt load makes this more financially viable than most alternatives.

The bottom line: if your child is committed to working with families and communities, this program delivers better-than-average outcomes at below-average cost. The debt is reasonable enough to repay on a human services salary, and the earnings trajectory shows graduates can advance beyond entry-level work. Just ensure your student understands the salary realities of this field—$36,000 starting is typical for these careers, not a weakness of this particular program.