Housing and Human Environments at University of Missouri-Columbia

Mizzou's Housing and Human Environments program costs slightly more than you'll find elsewhere—$26,802 in typical debt versus a national median of $25,683—but graduates earn meaningfully more than their peers. With first-year earnings of $42,394, grads earn nearly $4,000 above the national median for this major and roughly $1,000 more than the Missouri average. That puts this program at the 75th percentile nationally, though only 60th within Missouri (limited by the fact that just three schools in the state offer this degree).

The debt picture is remarkably favorable: at 0.63 times first-year earnings, graduates owe about eight months of salary—well below concerning thresholds. Earnings grow a healthy 21% to $51,285 by year four, suggesting the degree opens doors to career advancement rather than just entry-level positions. For context, the debt-to-earnings ratio here is at the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs have worse debt situations.

The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means outcomes are reasonably stable, though individual experiences will vary. Given the combination of manageable debt and above-average earnings that continue to grow, this represents a solid investment for students genuinely interested in housing policy, interior design, or human-centered environmental planning. The premium you're paying—roughly $1,100 more in debt—appears justified by the stronger earnings trajectory.