Human Development, Family Studies, at Weber State University

Weber State's Human Development and Family Studies program outperforms expectations for this degree, ranking in the 80th percentile among Utah programs and 72nd nationally. With first-year earnings of $35,861—substantially above both the state median of $26,561 and the national median of $33,543—graduates start ahead of most peers in this field. The program even edges out the University of Utah's offering while keeping debt reasonable at $18,792, well below the national median of $25,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates owe roughly half their first year's salary, a manageable burden that most borrowers can handle. However, earnings essentially plateau after graduation, growing only 1% over four years to $36,219. This stagnation is common in family services and social work fields, where career advancement often requires additional credentials or certifications.

For students committed to working with families and communities—fields that rarely lead to high salaries—this represents solid preparation with minimal financial risk. Weber State delivers competitive outcomes in a helping profession where the primary reward is the work itself, not the paycheck.