Human Development & Family Studies at Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,083/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 5.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #145 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs

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 $435K $439K $422K
Earnings Multiple 5.1x 5.2x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 34 33 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$84,888
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$118,208
-39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,389
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,083/yr, roughly in line with the $33,473 national median for Human Development & Family Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 5.2x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 33% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,250 debt-to-$31,083 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #145 out of 156 programs, Liberty University's financial outcomes for Human Development & Family Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $31,083 to $37,389 shows 20% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Liberty University

Liberty University accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 50,059 students in Lynchburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Liberty University →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Liberty University's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 33/100 — on the lower end for Human Development & Family Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Human Development & Family Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Human Development & Family Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 33% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →