Home Schools University of Virginia Human Development & Family Studies
Family & Consumer Sciences · Human Development & Family Studies Rank #106 of 156

Human Development & Family Studiesat University of Virginia-Main Campus

Graduates earn $34,533/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Human Development & Family Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $444K; scenarios range from $426K to $440K depending on AI disruption.

Charlottesville, VA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
40 AVERAGE
41
Optimistic
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$34,533
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$444K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
41% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Virginia

At a selective institution like UVA, a Human Development degree leverages strong academics and a robust alumni network, offering a distinct advantage even in a field not typically associated with immediate high earning potential. Your education here provides a deep understanding of human behavior and family dynamics, preparing you for roles in social services, education, counseling, and non-profit management. Graduates often find initial positions within government agencies, school systems, or community organizations, particularly around the Charlottesville region or in nearby larger markets like Richmond and D.C. While some roles, particularly those in direct support, are inherently human-centric, the "high AI risk" on the page suggests that administrative tasks or data analysis components within these fields could evolve, emphasizing the need for complementary skills. To maximize your career prospects, actively pursue internships and research opportunities to build practical experience and consider specializing through a master's degree in psychology, social work, or education.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$426K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple5.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$444K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple5.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$440K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple5.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Virginia's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Human Development & Family Studies graduates typically work

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.

1
Psychologists, all other
+4.3% 10-yr growth · 3,900 openings/yr
$117,580/yr
Moderate
2
Social scientists and related workers, all other
-1.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$100,340/yr
High
3
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary
+3.4% 10-yr growth · 200 openings/yr
$77,280/yr
High
4
Farm and home management educators
-2.5% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$58,120/yr
Moderate
5
Community and social service specialists, all other
+4.6% 10-yr growth · 13,100 openings/yr
$54,940/yr
Low
6
Social and human service assistants
+6.4% 10-yr growth · 50,600 openings/yr
$45,120/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Human Development & Family Studies

How University of Virginia stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
National Louis University
IL · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
7.4x
ROI
Warner Pacific University
OR · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
4.2x
ROI
Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies
OR · Private nonprofit
52
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
Same state (VA)
George Mason University
VA · Public
53
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
7.2x
ROI
Top score
University of the District of Columbia
DC · Public
67
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
22.3x
ROI
Also at University of Virginia

Other top programs at University of Virginia

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Virginia, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Human Development & Family Studies at University of Virginia

How does University of Virginia-Main Campus'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.