Human Development & Family Studies at Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale, VA · Public · Certificate · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

with 31,737 students enrolled in Annandale, VA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $24,012/yr, roughly in line with the $24,123 national median for Human Development & Family Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 44.1x 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.

With first-year pay of $24,012 far exceeding the $9,928 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #33 ranking among 85 Human Development & Family Studies programs places Northern Virginia Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
58
Score
59
High End
Earnings $24,012/yr (-0% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (67% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$251K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
44.1x
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)
$5,703
Out-of-state: $11,786
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,928
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$27,377
14% 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

See the full career breakdown for Human Development & Family Studies — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Northern Virginia Community College and 84 other schools.

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 Northern Virginia Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northern Virginia Community College's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
At 58/100, Northern Virginia Community College's Human Development & Family Studies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI affect Human Development & Family Studies careers?
Our scenarios model 33% of Human Development & Family Studies tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Northern Virginia Community College's 58/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Human Development & Family Studies graduates?
Beyond Northern Virginia Community College's classroom route, 3 registered apprenticeships map to Human Development & Family Studies careers — including Child Care Development Specialist. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Human Development & Family Studies from Northern Virginia Community College?
The career paths mapped to Human Development & Family Studies have roughly 297,800 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →