Human Development & Family Studies at Modesto Junior College

Modesto, CA · Public · Certificate · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

enrolling 14,714 students in Modesto, CA.

Program Analysis

At $15,819 per year, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from Modesto Junior College earn below the $24,123 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 207.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 33% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Ranked #10 out of 85 programs, Modesto Junior College's Human Development & Family Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $15,819 to $25,835 over five years (63% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

Human Development & Family Studies connects to 3 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
62
Low End
67
Score
69
High End
Earnings $15,819/yr (-34% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (67% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$278K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
218.6x
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)
$1,270
Out-of-state: $8,870
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$25,835
63% 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 →

About Human Development & Family Studies Careers

Your career path often begins on the front lines, either in a bustling community center or a vibrant preschool classroom. You’ll work directly with people, helping a family navigate social service applications on a computer one moment, then guiding children through a creative learning activity with art supplies the next. The work is hands-on, focused on providing direct support and guidance.

Read the full Human Development & Family Studies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Human Development & Family Studies Overview

Human Development & Family Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Modesto Junior College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Human Development & Family Studies at Modesto Junior College?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Human Development & Family Studies field.
Should I worry about AI if I study Human Development & Family Studies?
With 33% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $165,501 in decade earnings vs $277,603 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Modesto Junior College one of the best schools for Human Development & Family Studies?
The #10 ranking out of 85 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can you still earn well with Human Development & Family Studies from Modesto Junior College?
Lower starting pay at Modesto Junior College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Human Development & Family Studies through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 3 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Human Development & Family Studies career paths, including Child Care Development Specialist. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
How many job openings are there for Human Development & Family Studies graduates?
The career paths mapped to Human Development & Family Studies have roughly 297,800 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →