Compare 57 Family Systems. programs in the South. Average earnings: $37,899.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Family Systems tells a different story. Across 57 programs, earnings range from $41K to $52K—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Howard University's Family Systems program leads with graduates earning $52,452, despite its small cohort of just 5 students. The University of Texas at Austin follows closely at $51,787 with a much larger program of 201 graduates, while University of Maryland-College Park rounds out the top three at $50,796.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Florida graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 9.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. For families considering parent loans, University of the District of Columbia leads with a 19.5% family burden despite strong $50,715 earnings.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Howard UniversityPrivate | $52,452 | 5 | $24,500 | Good | $58,682 | High |
| #2 | $51,787 | 201 | $20,500 | Good | $26,632 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $50,796 | 145 | $19,000 | Good | $35,200 | High | |
| #4 | $50,715 | 29 | $24,872 | Manageable | $13,279 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $48,704 | 37 | $23,000 | Manageable | $50,786 | High |
| #6 | $48,423 | 227 | $21,500 | Good | $35,325 | High | |
| #7 | Florida State UniversityPublic | $48,264 | 309 | $18,000 | Good | $17,000 | Challenging |
| #8 | Stevenson UniversityPrivate | $47,639 | 27 | $26,000 | Manageable | $52,117 | High |
| #9 | Towson UniversityPublic | $45,826 | 29 | $18,718 | Good | $28,489 | High |
| #10 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $45,788 | 209 | $21,500 | Manageable | $23,443 | High |
| #11 | $45,585 | 136 | $20,500 | Manageable | $38,513 | High | |
| #12 | University Of HoustonPublic | $45,141 | 119 | $18,194 | Good | $18,072 | Challenging |
| #13 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $45,140 | 13 | $19,500 | Good | $25,142 | High |
| #14 | University Of FloridaPublic | $45,064 | 122 | $15,000 | Good | $18,837 | Challenging |
| #15 | Abilene Christian UniversityPrivate | $43,979 | 18 | $24,250 | Manageable | $26,542 | High |
| #16 | Bowie State UniversityPublic | $42,778 | 53 | $22,985 | Manageable | $23,158 | High |
| #17 | Southern Nazarene UniversityPrivate | $41,533 | 43 | $21,900 | Manageable | $12,550 | High |
| #18 | $40,903 | 32 | $17,750 | Manageable | $13,000 | Challenging | |
| #19 | Texas State UniversityPublic | $40,898 | 109 | $21,000 | Manageable | $22,500 | High |
| #20 | Texas Woman's UniversityPublic | $40,816 | 92 | $19,218 | Manageable | $13,471 | High |
| #21 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $40,508 | 77 | $24,500 | Challenging | $16,398 | High |
| #22 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $40,290 | 155 | $18,500 | Manageable | $20,855 | High |
| #23 | $39,672 | 31 | $27,000 | Challenging | $20,004 | High | |
| #24 | $39,608 | 80 | $19,250 | Manageable | $23,211 | High | |
| #25 | Harding UniversityPrivate | $39,527 | 9 | $26,500 | Challenging | $27,785 | 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 →
