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Human Development & Family Studies at West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Paducah, KY · Public · Associate Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

a compact campus enrolling 2,810 students in Paducah, KY.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $17,435/yr fall 28% below the $24,123 national median for Human Development & Family Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 30.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Human Development & Family Studies carry above-average AI exposure (33% of tasks). The 39% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

A #72 ranking among 85 Human Development & Family Studies programs places West Kentucky Community and Technical College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $17,435-to-$26,854 earnings arc over five years reflects a 54% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
50
Score
52
High End
Earnings $17,435/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (67% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$297K
11.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
31.9x
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)
$9,312
Out-of-state: $12,384
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$26,854
54% 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

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 West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Nursing ($58,951) Allied Health Professions ($46,895) Computer Science ($41,232) Medical Assisting ($36,362) Computer Science ($36,332) Vehicle Repair Technology ($35,929) Precision Metalworking ($35,603) Electrical Installation ($31,942)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Human Development & Family Studies degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does West Kentucky Community and Technical 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.
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. West Kentucky Community and Technical College's 50/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Is West Kentucky Community and Technical College a good choice for Human Development & Family Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If West Kentucky Community and Technical College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Human Development & Family Studies graduates?
Beyond West Kentucky Community and Technical 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 West Kentucky Community and Technical College?
Job availability for Human Development & Family Studies is strong — 297,800 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For West Kentucky Community and Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in KY may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →