Human Development & Family Studies at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,441/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 15.6x earnings multiple (6.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #56 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Human Development & Family Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $502K $502K $474K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.6x 15.6x 14.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.3x 6.3x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 45 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,256
Out-of-state: $79,776 (6.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,352
-84% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,722
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,310
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $30,441/yr, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from California State University-Chico land near the $33,473 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Human Development & Family Studies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Human Development & Family Studies's typical career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $16,722 represents roughly 7 months of the $30,441 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #56 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs, California State University-Chico scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $46,310 show a 52% jump from the $30,441 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Chico

With 94% of applicants admitted, California State University-Chico prioritizes broad access, enrolling 13,057 students in Chico, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Chico →

Top Career Paths

Psychologists, all other $117,580/yr
Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340/yr
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary $77,280/yr
View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Human Development & Family Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Chico

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Human Development & Family Studies at California State University-Chico?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Human Development & Family Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Human Development & Family Studies careers?
With 33% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $474,014 in decade earnings vs $502,359 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →