Human Development, Family Studies, at Utah State University

Utah State's Human Development program ranks dead last among major Utah schools in earnings potential, despite keeping debt relatively low at $16,573. With first-year earnings of just $26,561—roughly $7,000 below the national median—graduates face a long uphill climb. The near-flat earnings growth (just $553 over four years) suggests most of the program's career paths hit a ceiling quickly.

Here's the paradox: this program ranks in the 60th percentile within Utah but sits at the 5th percentile nationally. That's not because Utah State is doing well—it's because Utah's other Human Development programs perform even worse. Even Weber State and the University of Utah, which offer the same degree in the same state, produce graduates earning $8,000-9,000 more annually. The manageable debt load (0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio) softens the blow somewhat, but you're still looking at below-poverty-level starting wages.

If your child is passionate about this field, they should understand they're choosing a meaningful but financially challenging path. The degree works best for students who have family support, plan to pursue graduate education, or can afford to prioritize purpose over earnings. For families counting on this degree to deliver financial independence right after graduation, the numbers tell a difficult story.