Human Development & Family Studies at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
52 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,717/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #19 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs Top 25%

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 $478K $480K $456K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.0x 11.0x 10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.7x 7.3x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 53 52 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,428
Out-of-state: $62,044 (7.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,336
-50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,775
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,968
10% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,717/yr, edging above the $33,473 national average for Human Development & Family Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.0x 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 $22,775 represents roughly 7 months of the $41,717 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #19 of 156 nationally, this is a top-5% Human Development & Family Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $45,968 are relatively flat compared to the $41,717 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About North Dakota State University-Main Campus

North Dakota State University-Main Campus has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 9,567 students in Fargo, ND.

See all programs and financial aid at North Dakota 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

Compare Human Development & Family Studies

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Human Development & Family Studies at North Dakota State University-Main Campus?
A score of 52/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Human Development & Family Studies field.
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 $455,560 in decade earnings vs $478,467 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes North Dakota State University-Main Campus's Human Development & Family Studies program stand out?
Ranked #19 of 156 programs nationally, North Dakota State University-Main Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →