Human Development, Family Studies, at University of the District of Columbia

UDC's Human Development and Family Studies program stands out nationally but comes with a price tag that demands scrutiny. Graduates earn $44,819 in their first year—dramatically above the $33,543 national median and ranking in the 95th percentile nationwide. That's impressive positioning for a field that often struggles with wages. However, the $43,500 median debt nearly matches first-year earnings, creating a 0.97 debt-to-earnings ratio that's considerably steeper than the national median of $25,000.

The earnings trajectory offers some reassurance: graduates see income climb to $50,715 by year four, representing 13% growth. In DC's limited landscape of three programs offering this degree, UDC falls at the 60th percentile—middle of the pack locally despite the strong national showing. Given that 43% of students receive Pell grants, many families here are borrowing significantly to access this program.

The bottom line: Your child would likely out-earn most Human Development graduates nationwide, but they'll carry substantially more debt to get there. The program works if your family can minimize borrowing through grants or family contributions. If loans will cover most costs, the high debt burden could overshadow those strong earnings, especially in early years when loan payments strain budgets most.