Human Development & Family Studies at Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,943/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #149 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 $430K $435K $418K
Earnings Multiple 2.6x 2.7x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 36

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$162,560
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$110,744
32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
9.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,003
12% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $32,943/yr, roughly in line with the $33,473 national median for Human Development & Family Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 2.7x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 33% task exposure — and the 3% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt-to-$32,943 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #149 out of 156 programs, Messiah University's financial outcomes for Human Development & Family Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $32,943 to $37,003 over five years (12% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Messiah University

Messiah University accepts 78% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 2,318 in Mechanicsburg, PA. The average net cost of $110,744 over four years represents a 32% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Messiah 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 Messiah University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Messiah University's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 31/100 — 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 →