Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 185 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$231,508 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
128.5 yrsModeled economic break-even
−92%Modeled 10-year ROI
$46,954Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$46,954Median reported earnings · year 4
$46,330Average reported earnings · year 5
$25,585Median federal debt
14thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
185Reporting programs
174With 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$44,893National median$46,95475th percentile$51,857
174 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Cornell University$73,0662University of Virginia-Main Campus$71,6383University of Maryland-College Park$65,1364Florida State University$62,6635Binghamton University$62,5066George Mason University$61,5657University of California, San Diego$61,2628Warner Pacific University$60,1809Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies$60,18010University of Georgia$59,664Observed 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 | Cornell UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ithaca, NY | $73,066 | $15,500 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | University of Virginia-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Charlottesville, VA | $71,638 | $19,500 | +0% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | University of Maryland-College ParkBachelor's Degree | College Park, MD | $65,136 | $19,533 | -17% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Florida State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tallahassee, FL | $62,663 | $20,000 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Binghamton UniversityBachelor's Degree | Vestal, NY | $62,506 | $19,500 | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | George Mason UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairfax, VA | $61,565 | $24,300 | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | University of California, San DiegoBachelor's Degree | La Jolla, CA | $61,262 | $19,342 | -29% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | Warner Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Portland, OR | $60,180 | $39,697 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate StudiesBachelor's Degree | Portland, OR | $60,180 | $39,697 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 10 | University of GeorgiaBachelor's Degree | Athens, GA | $59,664 | $23,466 | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $59,166 | $21,500 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | $59,044 | $21,250 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Washington State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pullman, WA | $58,834 | $24,019 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $58,340 | $21,500 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | California State University, East BayBachelor's Degree | Hayward, CA | $57,898 | $18,000 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $57,888 | $23,059 | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $57,888 | $23,059 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $57,888 | $23,059 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $57,888 | $23,059 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $57,888 | $23,059 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | University of the District of ColumbiaBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $57,648 | $43,500 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Towson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Towson, MD | $57,295 | $20,500 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | Pacific Oaks CollegeBachelor's Degree | Pasadena, CA | $56,791 | $27,715 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 24 | Concordia University-Saint PaulBachelor's Degree | Saint Paul, MN | $55,294 | $30,583 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Durham, NH | $55,186 | $27,000 | -63% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $55,181 | $25,000 | -55% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | University of HoustonBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $54,871 | $22,450 | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Central Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ellensburg, WA | $54,858 | $21,000 | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | SUNY OneontaBachelor's Degree | Oneonta, NY | $53,836 | $23,250 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $53,740 | $29,750 | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Merrimack CollegeBachelor's Degree | North Andover, MA | $53,734 | $27,000 | -74% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsBachelor's Degree | Fort Collins, CO | $53,597 | $23,000 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Montclair State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Montclair, NJ | $53,575 | $25,250 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | California State University, San MarcosBachelor's Degree | San Marcos, CA | $53,568 | $17,193 | -61% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Syracuse UniversityBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $53,522 | $22,981 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | Bowie State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bowie, MD | $53,181 | $26,125 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Oregon State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Corvallis, OR | $53,109 | $26,000 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBachelor's Degree | Bend, OR | $53,109 | $26,000 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Illinois State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Normal, IL | $52,748 | $23,125 | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | University of VermontBachelor's Degree | Burlington, VT | $52,698 | $19,250 | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Sonoma State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Rohnert Park, CA | $52,672 | $18,250 | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | State University of New York at PlattsburghBachelor's Degree | Plattsburgh, NY | $52,593 | $25,420 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | University of Nevada-RenoBachelor's Degree | Reno, NV | $52,084 | $21,875 | -71% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $51,921 | $23,250 | -73% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | University of ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $51,857 | $20,400 | -72% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Fresno Pacific UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fresno, CA | $51,756 | $24,549 | -71% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Temple UniversityBachelor's Degree | Philadelphia, PA | $51,610 | $27,000 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | University of FloridaBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $51,497 | $17,296 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | University of Rhode IslandBachelor's Degree | Kingston, RI | $51,416 | $25,000 | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | California State University, FullertonBachelor's Degree | Fullerton, CA | $51,261 | $12,500 | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | California State University, Monterey BayBachelor's Degree | Seaside, CA | $51,118 | $12,408 | -74% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $50,921 | $23,250 | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | California State University, BakersfieldBachelor's Degree | Bakersfield, CA | $50,850 | Not available | -71% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Samford UniversityBachelor's Degree | Birmingham, AL | $50,809 | Not available | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | York College of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | York, PA | $50,652 | $26,920 | -78% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Oklahoma State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Stillwater, OK | $50,583 | $23,858 | -78% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | Abilene Christian UniversityBachelor's Degree | Abilene, TX | $50,525 | $26,000 | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate OnlineBachelor's Degree | Addison, TX | $50,525 | $26,000 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Portland State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Portland, OR | $50,427 | $23,334 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBachelor's Degree | Baton Rouge, LA | $50,422 | $26,750 | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $50,396 | $19,600 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | Texas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Marcos, TX | $50,151 | $22,295 | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | University of Illinois ChicagoBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $50,123 | $17,500 | -77% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | North Dakota State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Fargo, ND | $50,052 | $26,569 | -79% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | Stevenson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Owings Mills, MD | $49,902 | $27,000 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | California State University, SacramentoBachelor's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $49,847 | $16,500 | -78% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleBachelor's Degree | Knoxville, TN | $49,785 | $22,790 | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | Purdue University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | West Lafayette, IN | $49,649 | $15,304 | -80% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | Eastern Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Cheney, WA | $49,391 | $19,936 | -81% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | Western Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Kalamazoo, MI | $49,286 | $29,539 | -82% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Texas Woman's UniversityBachelor's Degree | Denton, TX | $49,210 | $24,170 | -82% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Northern Illinois UniversityBachelor's Degree | Dekalb, IL | $49,147 | $31,000 | -82% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | West Virginia UniversityBachelor's Degree | Morgantown, WV | $48,893 | $25,242 | -84% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | Spring Arbor UniversityBachelor's Degree | Spring Arbor, MI | $48,809 | $26,000 | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | Miami University-OxfordBachelor's Degree | Oxford, OH | $48,266 | Not available | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | University of North TexasBachelor's Degree | Denton, TX | $48,172 | $19,500 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | University of North Carolina at CharlotteBachelor's Degree | Charlotte, NC | $48,107 | $26,000 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | University of Wisconsin-StoutBachelor's Degree | Menomonie, WI | $48,043 | $27,000 | -88% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Southern Nazarene UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bethany, OK | $47,976 | $38,563 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | University of Hawaii at ManoaBachelor's Degree | Honolulu, HI | $47,874 | $18,250 | -88% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Kansas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Manhattan, KS | $47,528 | $25,000 | -90% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | Southern University at New OrleansBachelor's Degree | New Orleans, LA | $47,390 | $56,000 | -90% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | American Public University SystemBachelor's Degree | Charles Town, WV | $47,294 | $36,275 | -89% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | Concordia University Ann ArborBachelor's Degree | Ann Arbor, MI | $47,147 | Not available | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Concordia University-WisconsinBachelor's Degree | Mequon, WI | $47,147 | Not available | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Baylor UniversityBachelor's Degree | Waco, TX | $46,979 | $21,350 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | California State University, Long BeachBachelor's Degree | Long Beach, CA | $46,966 | $15,000 | -91% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | East Carolina UniversityBachelor's Degree | Greenville, NC | $46,941 | $27,000 | -92% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | University of Missouri-ColumbiaBachelor's Degree | Columbia, MO | $46,853 | $26,000 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | Messiah UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mechanicsburg, PA | $46,813 | $27,000 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | University of IdahoBachelor's Degree | Moscow, ID | $46,758 | $27,701 | -93% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | South Dakota State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Brookings, SD | $46,487 | $24,500 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | University of Central OklahomaBachelor's Degree | Edmond, OK | $46,420 | $27,500 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | University of UtahBachelor's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $46,411 | $15,500 | -94% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | Ball State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Muncie, IN | $46,269 | $27,000 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | University of ArkansasBachelor's Degree | Fayetteville, AR | $46,268 | $21,500 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | Iowa State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ames, IA | $46,253 | $24,958 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | Auburn UniversityBachelor's Degree | Auburn, AL | $46,242 | $25,000 | -96% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | University of North Carolina at GreensboroBachelor's Degree | Greensboro, NC | $46,140 | $26,000 | -95% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | Point Loma Nazarene UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Diego, CA | $46,119 | $16,300 | -97% | Negative payoff |
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.