Human Development, Family Studies, at Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies

Warner Pacific's human development program commands premium debt levels—about $14,000 above both state and national medians—but justifies it with first-year earnings that outpace 95% of similar programs nationwide. Graduates earn $45,523 initially, roughly $12,000 more than the typical Oregon graduate in this field and enough to rank first among the state's six programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.87 is manageable, meaning graduates owe less than one year's salary.

The concern is what happens next. Earnings drop 16% by year four to $38,398, an unusual pattern that suggests many graduates may be transitioning to different careers or roles. This decline erases some of the initial advantage, though even the lower figure still beats the state median. With only 30-100 graduates in the data, this could reflect the specific career paths of a small cohort rather than a reliable trend.

For families comfortable with above-average debt in exchange for strong initial placement, this program delivers. The first-year earnings provide real breathing room for loan payments. But that earnings decline means you're betting on either career advancement beyond year four or your child leveraging that strong start into a different field. If they plan to stay in traditional human development roles long-term, the premium cost becomes harder to justify.