Human Development & Family Studies at Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
44
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,062/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 16.1x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #71 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 $486K $487K $462K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.1x 16.1x 15.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.0x 5.0x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 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)
$30,164
Out-of-state: $98,148 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,948
-119% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,641
7.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,147
47% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $30,062/yr, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from Appalachian State University land near the $33,473 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Human Development & Family Studies programs nationally.

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 $19,641 represents roughly 8 months of the $30,062 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #71 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs, Appalachian State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $30,062 to $44,147 over five years — a 47% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Appalachian State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Appalachian State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 19,304 students in Boone, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Appalachian 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 Appalachian 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 Appalachian State University?
A score of 44/100 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 $461,678 in decade earnings vs $486,387 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →