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Human Development & Family Studies at Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, MA · Public · Associate Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

with a smaller student body of 2,554 in Gardner, MA.

Program Analysis

At $27,078 per year, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College earn slightly above the $24,123 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 23.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% 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.

The median debt load of $4,691 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #50 ranking among 85 Human Development & Family Studies programs places Mount Wachusett Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $27,078 to $27,799 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
54
Score
56
High End
Earnings $27,078/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (67% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$283K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
23.6x
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)
$12,000
Out-of-state: $21,840
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,691
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,799
3% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Human Development & Family Studies careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering family & consumer sciences.

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 Mount Wachusett Community College

Nursing ($74,618) Dental Assisting ($68,670) Practical Nursing ($62,720) Medical Assisting ($45,300) Medical Assisting ($44,710) Business Administration ($43,503) Business ($42,825) Computer Science ($38,975)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Human Development & Family Studies degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Human Development & Family Studies at Mount Wachusett Community College?
A score of 54/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Mount Wachusett Community College trails the majority of Human Development & Family Studies programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Should I worry about AI if I study Human Development & Family Studies at Mount Wachusett Community College?
AI exposure of 33% is a real factor. For Mount Wachusett Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($283,295) and pessimistic ($283,295) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
How affordable is Human Development & Family Studies at Mount Wachusett Community College?
At $4,691 in median debt, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Human Development & Family Studies program at Mount Wachusett Community College?
If Mount Wachusett Community 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.
What's the job market like for Human Development & Family Studies from Mount Wachusett Community College?
The very large job market (297,800 annual openings) works in favor of Human Development & Family Studies graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →