Compare 147 Family Systems. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $37,968. Top programs: $61,634+.
The highest-earning Family Systems program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $16K earnings gap across 147 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Cornell University's Family Systems program leads with graduates earning $61,634, well above the $37,968 average across all programs. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign follows at $53,297, while California State University-East Bay rounds out the top three at $53,103—demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't limited to elite institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 4.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, California State University-East Bay leads with a 15.6% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $61,634 | 69 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Challenging |
| #2 | $53,297 | 73 | $19,500 | Good | $34,511 | High | |
| #3 | $53,103 | 213 | $16,544 | Excellent | $15,738 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Howard UniversityPrivate | $52,452 | 5 | $24,500 | Good | $58,682 | High |
| #5 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $52,337 | 26 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | High |
| #6 | $51,787 | 201 | $20,500 | Good | $26,632 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $50,796 | 145 | $19,000 | Good | $35,200 | High | |
| #8 | $50,715 | 29 | $24,872 | Manageable | $13,279 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $50,448 | 176 | $21,500 | Good | $35,324 | High | |
| #10 | $49,899 | 71 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Challenging | |
| #11 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $49,815 | 24 | $16,705 | Good | $27,986 | Challenging |
| #12 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $48,704 | 37 | $23,000 | Manageable | $50,786 | High |
| #13 | $48,423 | 227 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | High | |
| #14 | Merrimack CollegePrivate | $48,385 | 120 | $27,000 | Manageable | $50,540 | High |
| #15 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $48,264 | 309 | $18,000 | Good | $17,000 | Challenging |
| #16 | Stevenson UniversityPrivate | $47,639 | 27 | $26,000 | Manageable | $52,117 | High |
| #17 | $46,149 | 214 | $20,484 | Good | $28,364 | High | |
| #18 | $45,860 | 71 | $26,814 | Manageable | $36,545 | High | |
| #19 | Towson UniversityPublic | $45,826 | 29 | $18,718 | Good | $28,489 | High |
| #20 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $45,788 | 209 | $21,500 | Manageable | $23,443 | High |
| #21 | $45,585 | 136 | $20,500 | Manageable | $38,513 | High | |
| #22 | University Of HoustonPublic | $45,141 | 119 | $18,194 | Good | $18,072 | Challenging |
| #23 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $45,140 | 13 | $19,500 | Good | $25,142 | High |
| #24 | University Of FloridaPublic | $45,064 | 122 | $15,000 | Good | $18,837 | Challenging |
| #25 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $44,767 | 144 | $18,500 | Good | $27,270 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
