Human Development, Family Studies, at University of Louisiana at Lafayette

UL Lafayette's Human Development program sits at an interesting crossroads: it underperforms nationally (19th percentile) but actually beats half the competition within Louisiana (60th percentile). That state ranking matters more than it might seem—with $29,094 starting salaries that edge above Louisiana's median of $28,234, graduates are earning slightly more than peers at schools like Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State, while carrying roughly comparable debt.

The concerning part is how these numbers stack up beyond state borders. Nationally, graduates in this field typically earn $33,543—about $4,500 more than what UL Lafayette graduates see in their first year. The debt load of $28,250 is actually below the national median, but when paired with below-average earnings, it creates a nearly 1:1 debt-to-income ratio that will make those first few years financially tight. Some relief comes from steady earnings growth—the 14% jump to $33,195 by year four closes much of that national gap.

For Louisiana families, particularly those benefiting from in-state tuition, this program offers reasonable value if your child is committed to fields like social services or education where this degree is required. Just understand they'll start behind the national curve and spend several years catching up. If moving out of state after graduation is part of the plan, consider whether the lower starting salary will complicate that transition.