Human Development graduates earn $48,568 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,149 and $62,704. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Human Development is a focused area of study within Family & Consumer Sciences. Graduates typically earn around $48,568 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 1,057 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 40,263 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$33,654
Median Earnings · 4yr
$48,568
Colleges Offering
1,057
Graduates / Year
40,263
Avg Net Price / yr
$14,016
How Much Do Human Development Graduates Earn?
Human Development graduates earn $48,568 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,149 and $62,704. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $33,654 climbs to $48,568 by year four.
$33,654
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$48,568
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$46,966
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Human Development graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$35,14925th pct.
$48,568Median
$62,70475th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $48,568 and an estimated $56,064 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 3.0 years.
Based on outcomes from 336 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 40,263 students who complete Human Development programs each year, the majority (43%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
33%43%
Bachelor's43%
Associate's33%
Certificate15%
What Can You Do With a Human Development Degree?
Human Development connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Farm and Home Management Educators leads at $60,220/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Active ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingSocial Perceptiveness
Day-to-day responsibilities
Instruct and advise individuals and families engaged in agriculture, agricultural-related processes, or home management activities. Demonstrate procedures and apply research findings to advance agricultural and home management activities. May develop educational outreach programs. May instruct on either agricultural issues such as agricultural processes and techniques, pest management, and food safety, or on home management issues such as budgeting, nutrition, and child development.
Advise farmers and demonstrate techniques in areas such as feeding and health maintenance of livestock, growing and harvesting practices, and financial planning.
Conduct classes or deliver lectures on subjects such as nutrition, home management, and farming techniques.
Collaborate with producers to diagnose and prevent management and production problems.
High school diploma or equivalent50,600 openings/yr438K employed nationally
Social PerceptivenessActive ListeningSpeakingService OrientationReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.
Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
Top Colleges for Human Development
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Human Development students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Human Development graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Family & Consumer Sciences Programs
Human Development is one of 8 specializations within Family & Consumer Sciences. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Human Development program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Human Development carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 4 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $33,654 at graduation to $48,568 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +6.4% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 117,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 1,057 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $48,568 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($35,149) and 75th ($62,704) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Human Development Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Human Development graduates earn?
Human Development graduates earn a national median of $48,568 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,149 and $62,704. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Human Development degree?
One year after graduation, Human Development degree holders earn a median of $33,654. That climbs to $48,568 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Human Development degree?
Human Development degree holders pursue careers including Farm and Home Management Educators, which pays a median of $60,220/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Human Development program take?
A Human Development bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Human Development?
1,057 colleges and universities in the United States offer Human Development programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Human Development degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $48,568 and an average net price of roughly $14,016/yr, a Human Development degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Human Development and Family & Consumer Sciences?
Human Development is a focused concentration within the broader Family & Consumer Sciences field. The Family & Consumer Sciences major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Human Development-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Human Development graduates?
Employers hiring Human Development graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles.
What is the job outlook for Human Development graduates?
The job outlook for Human Development graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +2.7% job growth over the next 10 years. Social and Human Service Assistants is among the strongest-growth roles at +6.4%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Family & Consumer Sciences Programs
Other programs in Family & Consumer Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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