Human Development & Family Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,654/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 9.2x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #52 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 $575K $569K $530K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.3x 9.2x 8.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.9x 3.9x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,912
Out-of-state: $146,776 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,160
-54% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,451
68% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $33,654/yr, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University land near the $33,473 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.2x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,500 represents roughly 7 months of the $33,654 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #52 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $56,451 show a 68% jump from the $33,654 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University accepts 57% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, serving a student body of 30,435 in Blacksburg, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and 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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Human Development & Family Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
A score of 46/100 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 $530,181 in decade earnings vs $575,083 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →