Human Development & Family Studies at University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,020/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (10.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #104 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 $466K $468K $446K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.1x 12.2x 11.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.0x 10.1x 9.6x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,472
Out-of-state: $46,472 (10.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,896
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,677
11.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,738
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,020/yr, roughly in line with the $33,473 national median for Human Development & Family Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 12.2x 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 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $29,677 debt-to-$31,020 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #104 out of 156 programs, University of Southern Mississippi'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 $31,020 to $41,738 shows 35% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Southern Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 9,899 students in Hattiesburg, MS. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Mississippi →

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 University of Southern Mississippi

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Southern Mississippi's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 40/100 — 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 →