Human Development & Family Studies
Quick Facts: Human Development & Family Studies Training
Where it's offered
Human Development & Family Studies programs are offered at 85 schools across 28 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $24,124/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 3 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Human Development & Family Studies — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 85 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 48/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Human Development & Family Studies Graduates Do
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.
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Many start in assistant or childcare roles. With experience, you can advance to become a case manager, lead preschool teacher, or a community outreach specialist, seeing a significant jump in earnings. The job market is growing fastest for assistants and specialists who connect people to vital community resources. Further education can unlock highly specialized, six-figure careers in psychology or social science research.
While AI tools may help with administrative tasks like scheduling or identifying resources, they can't replace the core of your job. The hands-on work of building trust, counseling individuals, and managing complex human dynamics will remain firmly in your hands.
You may also want to compare Human Development & Family Studies with Apparel & Textiles, Behavioral Sciences, and Housing & Interiors on earnings and ROI.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 3 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Human Development & Family Studies. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Child Care Development Specialist
RAPIDS 840 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $28K – $32,050 – $37K | -2.9% |
|
Direct Support Specialist (Alternate Title: Assistant Case Manager)
RAPIDS 1040CB |
Competency | Competency | $38K – $45,120 – $53K | 6.4% |
|
Peer Specialist (Bureau Of Prisons Only)
RAPIDS 2039 |
2000 hrs
~1.0 yrs |
Time | $38K – $45,120 – $53K | 6.4% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Human Development & Family Studies Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Human Development & Family Studies is offered at 85 schools across 28 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Human Development & Family Studies Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Human Development & Family Studies programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
Top 20 of 85 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
Highest Earning Human Development & Family Studies Programs
Schools where Human Development & Family Studies graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Ferris State University | $49,671/yr | 73 |
| Campbellsville University | $37,685/yr | 57 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College | $37,381/yr | 67 |
| North Shore Community College | $34,978/yr | 64 |
| Arapahoe Community College | $34,716/yr | 73 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College | $34,294/yr | 64 |
| Southern Crescent Technical College | $34,002/yr | 76 |
| Tulsa Community College | $33,103/yr | 65 |
| Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City | $32,967/yr | 65 |
| Saint Paul College | $32,055/yr | 60 |
Best ROI for Human Development & Family Studies
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Human Development & Family Studies.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coalinga College | 230.3x | $18,810/yr | 68 |
| Modesto Junior College | 202.4x | $15,819/yr | 67 |
| Santa Ana College | 201.2x | $23,863/yr | 71 |
| Cabrillo College | 185.5x | $23,686/yr | 71 |
| Fresno City College | 119.5x | $30,519/yr | 74 |
| Davidson-Davie Community College | 112.5x | $22,448/yr | 67 |
| Southern Crescent Technical College | 107.8x | $34,002/yr | 76 |
| East Los Angeles College | 106.1x | $10,032/yr | 58 |
| Central New Mexico Community College | 93.0x | $31,256/yr | 72 |
| Palm Beach State College | 92.3x | $28,328/yr | 70 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Human Development & Family Studies degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.