Compare 22 Family Systems. programs in the Northeast. Average earnings: $40,677.
With top graduates earning $61,634, Family Systems stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $21K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Cornell University's Family Systems program leads with graduates earning $61,634, while the regional average sits at $40,677. Tufts follows at $52,337, and University of Connecticut delivers $50,448—demonstrating that program-level factors drive outcomes more than overall school reputation across these 22 Northeast programs.
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. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, proving top programs can also be affordable.
| 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 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $52,337 | 26 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | High |
| #3 | $50,448 | 176 | $21,500 | Good | $35,324 | High | |
| #4 | Merrimack CollegePrivate | $48,385 | 120 | $27,000 | Manageable | $50,540 | High |
| #5 | $45,860 | 71 | $26,814 | Manageable | $36,545 | High | |
| #6 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $44,767 | 144 | $18,500 | Good | $27,270 | High |
| #7 | Suny OneontaPublic | $44,711 | 40 | $19,812 | Manageable | $24,845 | High |
| #8 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $44,252 | 52 | $26,000 | Manageable | $39,841 | High |
| #9 | $42,440 | 23 | $21,196 | Manageable | $19,010 | High | |
| #10 | Connecticut CollegePrivate | $41,609 | 15 | $23,500 | Manageable | $44,488 | High |
| #11 | University Of MainePublic | $40,508 | 77 | $25,000 | Challenging | $21,900 | High |
| #12 | York College Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $39,158 | 16 | $26,000 | Challenging | $33,999 | High |
| #13 | $38,884 | 124 | $22,250 | Challenging | $28,000 | High | |
| #14 | $38,637 | 282 | $25,000 | Challenging | $38,368 | High | |
| #15 | Lesley UniversityPrivate | $38,516 | 22 | $21,000 | Challenging | $31,465 | High |
| #16 | $36,463 | 33 | $26,798 | High | $26,073 | High | |
| #17 | Messiah UniversityPrivate | $35,400 | 21 | $25,621 | High | $37,908 | High |
| #18 | $34,109 | 272 | $22,000 | High | $24,693 | High | |
| #19 | University Of VermontPublic | $33,993 | 20 | $20,951 | High | $48,000 | High |
| #20 | Temple UniversityPublic | $31,452 | 39 | $24,395 | High | $36,495 | High |
| #21 | Curry CollegePrivate | $29,532 | 25 | $25,000 | High | $51,615 | High |
| #22 | $21,796 | 17 | $22,000 | High | $26,471 | 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 →
