Human Development, Family Studies, at University of Illinois Chicago

UIC's Human Development program manages to deliver above-average earnings while keeping debt notably lower than most alternatives. At $36,743, graduates earn more than 78% of similar programs nationwide and clear the Illinois median by about $3,000. The $17,500 debt load is less than half the national median of $25,000—a meaningful advantage that translates to more manageable monthly payments during those crucial early career years when many graduates are still finding their footing in social services, education, or family support roles.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 is quite favorable for this field, though it's worth noting that one competitor (National Louis University) shows significantly higher earnings at $46,954. That said, UIC's combination of reasonable debt and solid earnings puts most graduates in a sustainable position. With half of students receiving Pell grants, the lower debt burden particularly benefits first-generation and low-income students who might otherwise struggle with the financial realities of helping professions.

For families weighing this option, UIC offers a practical path into human services careers without the debt burden that could push graduates into unrelated fields for purely financial reasons. The program won't make anyone wealthy, but the math actually works—which isn't always true in this field.