Home › Delta College › Human Development & Family Studies

Human Development & Family Studies at Delta College

University Center, MI · Public · Associate Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

serving 6,061 students in University Center, MI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $21,881 track close to the $24,123 national median for Human Development & Family Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 29.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Human Development & Family Studies career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #58 ranking among 85 Human Development & Family Studies programs places Delta College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 22% earnings increase from $21,881 to $26,632 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

For students considering alternatives, 3 registered apprenticeship programs align with Human Development & Family Studies careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
52
Score
54
High End
Earnings $21,881/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (67% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$276K
5.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
29.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,280
Out-of-state: $15,100
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$26,632
22% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Human Development & Family Studies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Psychologists, all other $117,580 +4.3% 56%
Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340 -1.7% 48%
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary $77,280 +3.4% 46%
Psychologists, all other
$117,580
+4.3% growth 56% AI-proof
Social scientists and related workers, all other
$100,340
-1.7% growth 48% AI-proof
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary
$77,280
+3.4% growth 46% AI-proof

View all 8 career paths with full salary data →

Human Development & Family Studies Career Guide

What can you do with a Human Development & Family Studies credential from Delta College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Human Development & Family Studies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Human Development & Family Studies Overview

View all 85 schools offering Human Development & Family Studies →

Human Development & Family Studies at Other Schools

Ferris State University ($49,671) Campbellsville University ($37,685) City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College ($37,381) North Shore Community College ($34,978) Arapahoe Community College ($34,716) City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College ($34,294) Southern Crescent Technical College ($34,002) Tulsa Community College ($33,103)

Other Majors at Delta College

Nursing ($67,922) Practical Nursing ($54,108) Allied Health Professions ($52,791) Criminal Justice ($44,637) Dental Assisting ($36,828) Medical Assisting ($35,224) Precision Metalworking ($34,112) Business Administration ($33,957)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Human Development & Family Studies degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Delta College's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 52/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Human Development & Family Studies programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Should I worry about AI if I study Human Development & Family Studies at Delta College?
AI won't eliminate Human Development & Family Studies careers, but it may reshape them. At Delta College, a score of 52/100 already accounts for the 33% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Can I learn Human Development & Family Studies through an apprenticeship instead of Delta College?
If Delta College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 3 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Human Development & Family Studies. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Human Development & Family Studies graduates from Delta College find jobs?
At 297,800 annual openings, Human Development & Family Studies has a very large employment base. Delta College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →