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 →

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 South Texas 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

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.
How vulnerable is Human Development & Family Studies to AI automation?
The 33% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
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.
Can I learn Human Development & Family Studies through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 3 registered apprenticeships connected to Human Development & Family Studies occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Human Development & Family Studies graduates?
With approximately 297,800 annual openings across mapped careers, Human Development & Family Studies offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →