Human Development, Family Studies, at University of Florida

University of Florida's Human Development program combines strong earnings growth with unusually low debt—a combination that's rare in this field. Starting at $35,759 and climbing to $45,064 by year four (26% growth), graduates earn more than most peers nationally and outpace the Florida median by over $12,000. More impressive: they graduate with just $17,296 in debt, roughly $8,000 below the national median and even lower than the Florida average. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary—manageable by almost any standard.

Context matters here. While UF's program doesn't top the state rankings (Florida State's program actually shows lower starting earnings at $29,690), UF graduates hit the 60th percentile in Florida and 71st nationally. The combination of upward trajectory and minimal debt burden makes this particularly noteworthy. Among the four schools offering this program in Florida, UF delivers competitive earnings without saddling graduates with heavy loans.

For parents concerned about ROI in a helping profession, this program offers a clearer path forward than most. The low debt means graduates have flexibility to pursue graduate school, accept lower-paying but fulfilling positions, or build financial stability early. The moderate sample size suggests these outcomes are reasonably consistent.