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Human Development & Family Studies at Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,364/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 11.5x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #41 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 $482K $483K $458K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.5x 10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 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)
$41,988
Out-of-state: $110,732 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,660
-73% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,080
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,407
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $36,364/yr, edging above the $33,473 national average for Human Development & Family Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 11.5x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,080 debt-to-$36,364 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #41 out of 156 programs, Iowa State University's Human Development & Family Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,364 to $45,407 shows 25% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with 25,033 students enrolled in Ames, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at Iowa 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

Compare this program → View all 156 schools offering Human Development & Family Studies →

Human Development & Family Studies at Other Schools

National Louis University ($46,954) Warner Pacific University ($45,523) Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies ($45,523) George Mason University ($45,140) University of the District of Columbia ($44,819) Tufts University ($44,345) Walden University ($43,693) North Dakota State University-Main Campus ($41,717)

Other Majors at Iowa State University

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,913) Computer Engineering ($79,182) Computer Science ($78,517) Construction Engineering ($77,845) Chemical Engineering ($76,184) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($75,036) Industrial Engineering ($74,310) Mechanical Engineering ($72,900)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Human Development & Family Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does Iowa State University's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 47/100 — 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 →