Human Development & Family Studies at Tidewater Community College

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

serving 11,797 students in Norfolk, VA.

Program Analysis

Tidewater Community College's Human Development & Family Studies program produces graduates earning $21,889/yr — within striking distance of the $24,123 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 40.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Human Development & Family Studies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Human Development & Family Studies's career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $21,889 in annual earnings.

Ranked #46 of 85 Human Development & Family Studies programs, Tidewater Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

There are 3 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Human Development & Family Studies, including Child Care Development Specialist (median $32,050/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
55
Score
56
High End
Earnings $21,889/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (67% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$229K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
40.1x
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)
$5,714
Out-of-state: $11,717
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Tidewater Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tidewater Community College's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
A score of 55/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Tidewater 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?
With 33% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $229,009 in decade earnings vs $229,009 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
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 →