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Human Development & Family Studies at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
49
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,436/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #35 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 $507K $506K $477K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.7x 12.7x 11.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 49 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)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,000
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,608
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $35,436 per year, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from Purdue University-Main Campus earn slightly above the $33,473 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 12.7x 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 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $14,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #35 out of 156 programs, Purdue University-Main Campus's Human Development & Family Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,436 to $48,608 shows 37% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

Purdue University-Main Campus accepts 50% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 39,637 students in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue 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

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 Purdue University-Main Campus

Computer Science ($94,786) Computer Engineering ($89,965) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($84,300) Industrial Engineering ($81,379) Chemical Engineering ($81,105) Mechanical Engineering ($80,374) Materials Engineering ($78,265) Construction Engineering ($76,966)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Human Development & Family Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Purdue University-Main Campus's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 49/100 — 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.
Why does Purdue University-Main Campus rank so high for Human Development & Family Studies?
The #35 ranking out of 156 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →