Human Development & Family Studies at Portland State University

Portland, OR · 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 $32,481/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #72 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 $520K $518K $488K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.6x 11.5x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.3x 4.0x
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)
$44,952
Out-of-state: $120,552 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,728
-15% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,750
7.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,354
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $32,481/yr, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from Portland State University land near the $33,473 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 11.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 33% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,750 debt-to-$32,481 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #72 out of 156 programs, Portland State University's Human Development & Family Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $32,481 to $49,354 over five years (52% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Portland State University

With 91% of applicants admitted, Portland State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 13,619 students in Portland, OR.

See all programs and financial aid at Portland State 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

Other Majors at Portland State University

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

How does Portland State University's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 44/100 — 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 →