Human Development & Family Studiesat Point Loma Nazarene University
Graduates earn $27,037/yr in their first year — about 19.0% below the national Human Development & Family Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $589K; scenarios range from $547K to $597K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Point Loma Nazarene University
The financial data here highlights the challenging reality for many Human Development graduates, particularly in a high cost-of-living market like San Diego. This field often leads to deeply rewarding but financially modest careers in social services, non-profits, or educational support roles. Many entry-level positions within local community centers, schools, or family support agencies offer salaries that struggle to keep pace with the region's expenses. The higher-earning career paths often require significant further education, like a Master's in Social Work or Counseling, which isn't always reflected in initial post-bachelor's outcomes.
If you're considering this program, ensure your passion for helping others aligns with a realistic financial plan. Be prepared to actively pursue internships that build specialized skills or budget for immediate graduate studies to access more advanced and higher-paying roles within a few years.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Point Loma Nazarene University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Human Development & Family Studies
How Point Loma Nazarene University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Point Loma Nazarene University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Point Loma Nazarene University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Human Development & Family Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Human Development & Family Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Human Development & Family Studies at Point Loma Nazarene University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Human Development & Family Studies at Point Loma Nazarene University?
A score of 30/100 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 $546,919 in decade earnings vs $596,756 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Human Development & Family Studies from Point Loma Nazarene University?
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.