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Human Development & Family Studies at California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,089/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #54 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 $437K $442K $424K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.7x 14.8x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.7x 5.7x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 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)
$29,748
Out-of-state: $77,268 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$57,948
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,089/yr, roughly in line with the $33,473 national median for Human Development & Family Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 14.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Human Development & Family Studies career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $34,089 far exceeding the $11,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #54 ranking among 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs places California State University-Monterey Bay in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About California State University-Monterey Bay

California State University-Monterey Bay accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 5,811 students in Seaside, CA. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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

Compare this program → View all 156 schools offering Human Development & Family Studies →

Human Development & Family Studies at Other Schools

National Louis University ($46,954) Warner Pacific University ($45,523) Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies ($45,523) George Mason University ($45,140) University of the District of Columbia ($44,819) Tufts University ($44,345) Walden University ($43,693) North Dakota State University-Main Campus ($41,717)

Other Majors at California State University-Monterey Bay

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($117,088) Computer Science ($71,458) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($47,825) Human Services, General ($37,501) Hospitality Administration/Management ($35,760) Biology, General ($35,312) Social Sciences, General ($34,678) International/Global Studies ($34,246)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Human Development & Family Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Human Development & Family Studies at California State University-Monterey Bay?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Human Development & Family Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Human Development & Family Studies at California State University-Monterey Bay?
The 33% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →