Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences at University of Maryland Eastern Shore

University of Maryland Eastern Shore's Family and Consumer Sciences program launches graduates into earnings well above the national norm—$37,301 first-year compared to $31,748 nationally, placing them in the 94th percentile. The $28,000 debt load sits comfortably below both national and state medians, creating a manageable 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates should be able to handle. Among Maryland's three schools offering this program, UMES ranks solidly in the middle for earnings while keeping debt relatively controlled.

The complication arrives in years two through four, when median earnings slip to $35,598—a 5% decline that's unusual but not necessarily alarming for this field. Family and consumer sciences careers often involve non-profit work, education, or human services roles where salary progression differs from corporate tracks. However, even with this dip, graduates still earn above both the national and state medians for the program.

For families considering this program, the initial value is clear: strong starting salaries relative to peers and manageable debt. The school serves a predominantly Pell-eligible student body (53%), and this program appears to deliver solid economic mobility despite the accessible 90% admission rate. Just understand that career advancement in this field may require strategic moves—additional credentials, specialized roles, or sector changes—rather than automatic salary growth.