Human Development & Family Studies at New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
36
Optimistic
36
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,965/yr (-22% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 13.7x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #124 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 $441K $445K $427K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.5x 13.7x 13.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 36 36 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,588
Out-of-state: $101,084 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$26,988
17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,749
10.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,859
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $25,965 per year, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from New Mexico State University-Main Campus earn below the $33,473 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.7x 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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $21,749 represents roughly 10 months of the $25,965 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #124 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs, New Mexico State University-Main Campus falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $25,965 to $36,859 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About New Mexico State University-Main Campus

With 76% of applicants admitted, New Mexico State University-Main Campus prioritizes broad access, enrolling 11,561 students in Las Cruces, NM. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at New Mexico State University-Main Campus →

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 New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Human Development & Family Studies at New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
A score of 36/100 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 $426,653 in decade earnings vs $441,040 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Human Development & Family Studies from New Mexico State University-Main Campus?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →