Human Development, Family Studies, at Walden University

At first glance, Walden's Human Development program appears to outperform most national competitors, but that initial $43,693 salary masks a troubling reality: earnings plummet to $34,254 by year four—a 22% decline that's nearly unheard of for bachelor's degree holders. This pattern suggests graduates may be taking temporary positions or struggling to advance in their field. While the program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, it's merely middle-of-the-pack among Minnesota programs despite charging debt levels that exceed every peer in the state.

The $53,461 debt burden is particularly concerning because it's more than double the national median for this field and significantly higher than other Minnesota schools. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.22 might seem manageable based on the first-year salary, but becomes increasingly problematic as earnings decline. For context, graduates from Concordia-St. Paul carry less debt while achieving comparable starting salaries.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift dramatically year to year, but the combination of declining earnings and above-market debt suggests serious red flags. Unless your child has specific reasons to attend Walden—such as needing their online format—Minnesota offers safer alternatives with lower debt and more stable career trajectories in this field.