Home › Virginia Western Community College › Human Development & Family Studies

Human Development & Family Studies at Virginia Western Community College

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

with a smaller student body of 3,777 in Roanoke, VA.

Program Analysis

At $21,057/yr, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from Virginia Western Community College land near the $24,123 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 41.9x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Human Development & Family Studies graduates.

At #47 out of 85 programs, Virginia Western Community College's financial outcomes for Human Development & Family Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
55
Score
57
High End
Earnings $21,057/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (67% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$220K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
41.9x
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)
$5,256
Out-of-state: $11,259

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

Human Development & Family Studies opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

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 Virginia Western Community College

Nursing ($64,052) Dental Assisting ($61,030) Allied Health Professions ($54,480) Industrial Production Technology ($49,287) Practical Nursing ($48,420) HVAC Technology ($40,629) Electrical Engineering Technology ($40,104) Business Administration ($38,214)

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 does a 55/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Human Development & Family Studies at Virginia Western Community College?
This program scores 55/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Human Development & Family Studies programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI affect Human Development & Family Studies careers?
AI exposure of 33% is a real factor. For Virginia Western Community College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($220,303) and pessimistic ($220,303) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Can I learn Human Development & Family Studies through an apprenticeship instead of Virginia Western Community College?
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 a program at Virginia Western Community College.
How many job openings are there for Human Development & Family Studies graduates?
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 →