Human Development & Family Studies at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,150/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 17.9x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #67 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 $509K $508K $479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.0x 17.9x 16.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.7x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,380
Out-of-state: $75,900 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$30,396
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,221
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Northridge's Human Development & Family Studies graduates start at $28,150/yr, trailing the $33,473 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.9x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,000 in median debt clears quickly against $28,150 in annual earnings.

At #67 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs, California State University-Northridge scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $46,221 show a 64% jump from the $28,150 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Northridge

A 93% acceptance rate means California State University-Northridge is accessible to most applicants, with 32,357 students enrolled in Northridge, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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-Northridge

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Human Development & Family Studies at California State University-Northridge?
A score of 44/100 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 $479,477 in decade earnings vs $509,437 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Human Development & Family Studies from California State University-Northridge?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →