Human Development, Family Studies, at University of Central Missouri

University of Central Missouri's Human Development program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—ranking just below the 50th percentile both nationally and among Missouri programs. The first-year salary of $32,574 sits about $1,000 below the national median, and earnings barely budge over the following three years, growing less than $700 total. For context, this program trails Missouri's top performer (Mizzola) by only about $440 initially, suggesting the differences across Missouri schools are fairly compressed.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $24,500, you're borrowing three-quarters of what your graduate will earn in their first year—a manageable ratio, though not exceptional. The minimal earnings growth means that debt burden won't ease much over time through salary increases. Compare this to fields where earnings jump significantly after a few years of experience—that's not happening here.

For families considering this program, understand you're making a modest investment for modest returns. The debt won't be crushing, but the earnings ceiling appears low from the start. If your student is passionate about working with families and children, this path can work financially, but they'll need to be comfortable with an entry-level salary that essentially becomes their mid-career salary. Those hoping for significant income growth should look elsewhere—what you see at graduation is largely what you get.