Human Development & Family Studies at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus

Lancaster, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
56 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
57
Optimistic
56
Base Case
59
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,973/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 19.7x earnings multiple (13.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #7 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

This program's consistent national ranking highlights a curriculum deeply connected to the practical needs of the human services sector. Ohio University-Lancaster benefits from strong local and regional partnerships, feeding graduates into vital roles across Central Ohio. You'll likely find alumni working in non-profits, government agencies like the Department of Job and Family Services, and educational settings, particularly within Fairfield County and the broader Columbus metropolitan area. These local connections often translate into robust internship opportunities that frequently convert into full-time positions upon graduation, explaining the strong early career trajectory. While the broader field's administrative tasks face some automation risk, your core professional value in human development and family services—empathy, complex interpersonal communication, crisis intervention, and nuanced client support—remains inherently human and irreplaceable. Focus on cultivating these advanced soft skills. Consider actively pursuing internships that involve direct client interaction and program development to fortify your career against technological shifts.

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 $485K $486K $461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.6x 19.7x 18.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.2x 13.2x 12.6x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 56 59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$24,712
Out-of-state: $36,680 (13.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$24,532
1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,147
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,446
19% growth from Year 1

About Ohio University-Lancaster Campus

a compact campus enrolling 657 students in Lancaster, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus →

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

Compare Human Development & Family Studies

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Human Development & Family Studies at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Human Development & Family Studies field.
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 $460,634 in decade earnings vs $485,034 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Ohio University-Lancaster Campus's Human Development & Family Studies program stand out?
Ranked #7 of 156 programs nationally, Ohio University-Lancaster Campus lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →