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Human Development & Family Studies at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

serving 16,131 students in McAllen, TX.

Program Analysis

At $19,971 per year, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from South Texas College earn below the $24,123 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 22.7x 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 risk is moderate — 33% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Human Development & Family Studies graduates.

At #76 out of 85 programs, South Texas College's financial outcomes for Human Development & Family Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $19,971 to $22,217 over five years (11% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
50
Score
51
High End
Earnings $19,971/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (67% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$226K
2.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
22.9x
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)
$9,840
Out-of-state: $15,000
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$22,217
11% 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 South Texas 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 South Texas College

Nursing ($75,733) Allied Health Professions ($68,727) Criminal Justice ($49,125) Allied Health Professions ($42,378) Practical Nursing ($33,171) Precision Metalworking ($33,167) Medical Assisting ($32,084) Vehicle Repair Technology ($30,307)

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

How does South Texas College's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
At 50/100, the score looks reasonable — but Human Development & Family Studies is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
What's the AI risk for Human Development & Family Studies graduates from South Texas College?
AI won't eliminate Human Development & Family Studies careers, but it may reshape them. At South Texas College, a score of 50/100 already accounts for the 33% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Is South Texas College a good choice for Human Development & Family Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If South Texas College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Human Development & Family Studies?
Beyond South Texas 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 South Texas College?
Job availability for Human Development & Family Studies is strong — 297,800 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For South Texas College graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →