Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $33,015 track close to the $33,473 national median for Human Development & Family Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.8x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
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 5% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $26,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $33,015 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #99 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs, University of Missouri-Columbia falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Earnings grow from $33,015 to $46,516 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.