Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 96 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$206,001 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
—Modeled economic break-even
−189%Modeled 10-year ROI
$35,276Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$35,276Median reported earnings · year 4
$29,623Average reported earnings · year 5
$16,793Median federal debt
11thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
96Reporting programs
93With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $31,837
- Federal debt
- $11,161
- Reporting programs
- 81
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $35,276
- Federal debt
- $16,793
- Reporting programs
- 96
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $46,954
- Federal debt
- $25,585
- Reporting programs
- 185
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $71,428
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,496
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 27
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,118
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 4
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $54,464
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$30,269National median$35,27675th percentile$39,229
93 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Merritt College$51,0372West Valley College$49,9333Campbellsville University$44,3404Minneapolis Community and Technical College$44,3175Mount Wachusett Community College$44,1936North Shore Community College$42,6527Mt San Antonio College$42,3218Pasadena City College$41,8089Tulsa Community College$41,43910Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Shenango$40,545Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1192 · 5 crosswalk linksFarm and Home Management EducatorsSOC 25-9021 · 5 crosswalk linksChildcare WorkersSOC 39-9011 · 3 crosswalk linksCommunity and Social Service Specialists, All OtherSOC 21-1099 · 3 crosswalk linksPsychologists, All OtherSOC 19-3039 · 3 crosswalk linksPreschool Teachers, Except Special EducationSOC 25-2011 · 2 crosswalk linksNO MATCHSOC 99-9999 · 1 crosswalk linksSocial Scientists and Related Workers, All OtherSOC 19-3099 · 1 crosswalk linksSocial and Human Service AssistantsSOC 21-1093 · 1 crosswalk linksTeaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special EducationSOC 25-9042 · 1 crosswalk linksTeaching Assistants, Special EducationSOC 25-9043 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merritt CollegeAssociate's Degree | Oakland, CA | $51,037 | Not available | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | West Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saratoga, CA | $49,933 | Not available | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Campbellsville UniversityAssociate's Degree | Campbellsville, KY | $44,340 | $20,820 | -105% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $44,317 | $29,500 | -106% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Mount Wachusett Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Gardner, MA | $44,193 | $5,921 | -108% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | North Shore Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Danvers, MA | $42,652 | $9,622 | -122% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | Mt San Antonio CollegeAssociate's Degree | Walnut, CA | $42,321 | Not available | -126% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Pasadena City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pasadena, CA | $41,808 | Not available | -133% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Tulsa Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tulsa, OK | $41,439 | $15,287 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State ShenangoAssociate's Degree | Sharon, PA | $40,545 | $24,113 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State ScrantonAssociate's Degree | Dunmore, PA | $40,545 | $24,113 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBoisAssociate's Degree | DuBois, PA | $40,545 | $24,113 | -136% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusAssociate's Degree | University Park, PA | $40,545 | $24,113 | -129% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont AltoAssociate's Degree | Mont Alto, PA | $40,545 | $24,113 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State SchuylkillAssociate's Degree | Schuylkill Haven, PA | $40,545 | $24,113 | -134% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State YorkAssociate's Degree | York, PA | $40,545 | $24,113 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusAssociate's Degree | University Park, PA | $40,545 | $24,113 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Community College of Allegheny CountyAssociate's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $40,493 | $9,651 | -138% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | Kellogg Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Battle Creek, MI | $40,016 | Not available | -150% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | Harcum CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bryn Mawr, PA | $39,830 | $21,375 | -137% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | Modesto Junior CollegeAssociate's Degree | Modesto, CA | $39,536 | Not available | -157% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Oakland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Auburn Hills, MI | $39,467 | $17,310 | -154% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | College of Southern NevadaAssociate's Degree | Las Vegas, NV | $39,424 | Not available | -154% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | Northwood Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rice Lake, WI | $39,229 | $12,914 | -153% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Chicago, IL | $39,170 | Not available | -155% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Santa Ana CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Ana, CA | $39,025 | Not available | -162% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | American Public University SystemAssociate's Degree | Charles Town, WV | $38,583 | $21,782 | -159% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Central New Mexico Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Albuquerque, NM | $38,264 | $9,258 | -168% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | South Central CollegeAssociate's Degree | North Mankato, MN | $37,497 | Not available | -169% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Hudson Valley Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Troy, NY | $37,320 | $8,216 | -172% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Holyoke Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Holyoke, MA | $37,024 | Not available | -175% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Saint Louis Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bridgeton, MO | $36,882 | Not available | -176% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Victor Valley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Victorville, CA | $36,877 | Not available | -187% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | Southeast Missouri State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Cape Girardeau, MO | $36,776 | Not available | -168% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Ferris State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Big Rapids, MI | $36,662 | Not available | -178% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Grand Rapids Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Grand Rapids, MI | $36,584 | $12,863 | -178% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Carl Albert State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Poteau, OK | $36,363 | $9,125 | -172% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Post UniversityAssociate's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $36,280 | $34,584 | -165% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Metropolitan Community College AreaAssociate's Degree | Omaha, NE | $36,255 | Not available | -187% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Saint Paul CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $36,167 | Not available | -178% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Columbus State Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Columbus, OH | $36,095 | Not available | -183% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Des Moines Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Ankeny, IA | $35,773 | $11,500 | -182% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Midlands Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | West Columbia, SC | $35,648 | $22,291 | -194% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Fresno City CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fresno, CA | $35,605 | Not available | -189% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Reedley CollegeAssociate's Degree | Reedley, CA | $35,493 | Not available | -192% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Butte CollegeAssociate's Degree | Oroville, CA | $35,456 | Not available | -194% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Southeast Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sioux Falls, SD | $35,276 | Not available | -178% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | Angelina CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lufkin, TX | $35,127 | Not available | -194% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Lakeland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Kirtland, OH | $35,022 | Not available | -195% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Sioux City, IA | $34,958 | Not available | -193% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Northern Virginia Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Annandale, VA | $34,814 | $17,500 | -193% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Erie Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $34,751 | Not available | -197% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | East Los Angeles CollegeAssociate's Degree | Monterey Park, CA | $34,748 | Not available | -192% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Southeast Community College AreaAssociate's Degree | Lincoln, NE | $34,684 | $16,165 | -195% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Delgado Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | New Orleans, LA | $34,540 | $37,750 | -196% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Hillsborough CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tampa, FL | $34,316 | $14,750 | -209% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Southwestern CollegeAssociate's Degree | Chula Vista, CA | $33,801 | Not available | -197% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Baker CollegeAssociate's Degree | Owosso, MI | $33,709 | $23,424 | -197% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Lackawanna CollegeAssociate's Degree | Scranton, PA | $33,621 | $18,500 | -188% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | York Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rock Hill, SC | $33,517 | $10,125 | -213% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | Macomb Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Warren, MI | $33,389 | Not available | -225% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | Antelope Valley Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Lancaster, CA | $32,925 | $11,250 | -224% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | San Diego Miramar CollegeAssociate's Degree | San Diego, CA | $32,865 | Not available | -226% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | CUNY Hostos Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bronx, NY | $32,779 | Not available | -221% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | Lemoore CollegeAssociate's Degree | Lemoore, CA | $32,382 | Not available | -213% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | Northern Oklahoma CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tonkawa, OK | $32,164 | Not available | -227% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Conway, SC | $31,470 | Not available | -238% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | South Texas CollegeAssociate's Degree | McAllen, TX | $30,621 | Not available | -254% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | College of the SequoiasAssociate's Degree | Visalia, CA | $30,334 | Not available | -261% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Norfolk, VA | $30,269 | $16,275 | -230% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Northeastern Oklahoma A&M CollegeAssociate's Degree | Miami, OK | $29,932 | Not available | -235% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Laredo CollegeAssociate's Degree | Laredo, TX | $29,652 | Not available | -251% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | Southwest Mississippi Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Summit, MS | $29,575 | Not available | -262% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | Ozarks Technical Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Springfield, MO | $28,862 | $21,000 | -255% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | Polk State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Winter Haven, FL | $28,739 | Not available | -249% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | Bakersfield CollegeAssociate's Degree | Bakersfield, CA | $28,483 | Not available | -239% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | Delta CollegeAssociate's Degree | University Center, MI | $28,299 | $14,478 | -269% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityAssociate's Degree | Kansas City, MO | $28,243 | Not available | -257% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Arkansas Tech UniversityAssociate's Degree | Russellville, AR | $28,231 | $26,000 | -245% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Danville Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Danville, VA | $27,615 | Not available | -268% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Greenville Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Greenville, SC | $27,221 | Not available | -257% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | Hawkeye Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Waterloo, IA | $26,253 | Not available | -272% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | Cerritos CollegeAssociate's Degree | Norwalk, CA | $26,222 | Not available | -298% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X CollegeAssociate's Degree | Chicago, IL | $26,123 | Not available | -281% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusAssociate's Degree | Chillicothe, OH | $25,999 | $11,686 | -287% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Ohio University-Southern CampusAssociate's Degree | Ironton, OH | $25,999 | $11,686 | -286% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | Ohio University-Lancaster CampusAssociate's Degree | Lancaster, OH | $25,999 | $11,686 | -288% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | Ohio University-Main CampusAssociate's Degree | Athens, OH | $25,999 | $11,686 | -243% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | Itawamba Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fulton, MS | $24,847 | Not available | -303% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | East Central Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Decatur, MS | $24,115 | Not available | -308% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Perkinston, MS | $23,495 | $10,940 | -307% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | Hinds Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Raymond, MS | $21,159 | $20,502 | -343% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | George C Wallace Community College-DothanAssociate's Degree | Dothan, AL | $19,444 | Not available | -377% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | Florida State College at JacksonvilleAssociate's Degree | Jacksonville, FL | Not available | $13,272 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $4,128 |
| 95 | Somerset Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Somerset, KY | Not available | $11,364 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $4,398 |
| 96 | Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma CityAssociate's Degree | Oklahoma City, OK | Not available | $20,230 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $7,081 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.