Human Development & Family Studies at California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
54
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,184/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 17.0x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #40 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 $528K $525K $494K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.1x 17.0x 16.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.7x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,956
Out-of-state: $78,476 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,200
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,362
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,769
60% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-San Marcos's Human Development & Family Studies program produces graduates earning $31,184/yr — within striking distance of the $33,473 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.0x 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 $17,362 represents roughly 7 months of the $31,184 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #40 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs, California State University-San Marcos scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $49,769 show a 60% jump from the $31,184 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-San Marcos

A 96% acceptance rate means California State University-San Marcos is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 14,174 students in San Marcos, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 44% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

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

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-San Marcos

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-San Marcos?
A score of 48/100 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 $493,856 in decade earnings vs $528,052 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →