Family and Consumer Economics at University of Nebraska at Kearney

At $38,009 starting out, graduates here earn slightly more than Nebraska's median for this degree, which may surprise families expecting a larger state school advantage—University of Nebraska-Lincoln's program actually produces lower first-year earnings at $35,242. The manageable $19,750 debt load (well below the national median of $24,270) creates a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, meaning graduates can realistically tackle their loans even in this modestly-paying field.

The concerning pattern emerges over time: earnings slip to $36,424 by year four, a 4% decline that raises questions about career trajectory in family and consumer economics. Whether that reflects graduates transitioning to graduate school, shifting to non-profit work, or hitting early career plateaus in Nebraska's job market isn't clear from the data alone. That said, starting below national earnings ($40,141 nationally) while ranking in the 37th percentile means this program isn't positioning graduates for top-tier outcomes in a field that doesn't command high salaries anywhere.

For Nebraska families, this represents a relatively low-risk option with contained debt, but not necessarily a strong earnings investment. The real value depends heavily on what career path your student pursues after graduation—roles in nutrition education, family services, or consumer advocacy may justify the modest returns, while students targeting higher-paying fields should look elsewhere.