Human Development, Family Studies, at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

UNH's Human Development and Family Studies program starts slow but shows genuine momentum, with earnings jumping 43% to reach $45,860 by year four. That growth trajectory matters more than the below-average starting salary of $32,146, which sits in the 38th percentile nationally but represents the median for New Hampshire programs in this field—this is what these degrees typically earn in the state.

The debt picture is actually favorable: at $27,000, graduates carry less debt than the national median for this field, creating a manageable 0.84 debt-to-earnings ratio. While the first year requires careful budgeting, the four-year earnings suggest graduates are finding their footing in careers that take time to build—typical for family services, counseling, and social work fields where experience and credentials unlock higher-paying roles.

For families considering this program, the key question is patience. If your child needs immediate earning power to manage debt, that $32,000 starting salary will feel tight. But if they're genuinely drawn to human services careers and you can support a modest lifestyle in those first years, the earnings trajectory shows this investment paying off at a reasonable pace. The competitive debt load gives graduates breathing room that many similar programs don't offer.