Human Development & Family Studies at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
36 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $26,897/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #126 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 $393K $400K $389K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.0x 10.2x 9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 5.0x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 37 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)
$39,436
Out-of-state: $79,756 (5.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$26,000
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,677
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,897/yr fall 20% below the $33,473 national median for Human Development & Family Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 10.2x 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 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,677 debt-to-$26,897 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #126 out of 156 programs, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's financial outcomes for Human Development & Family Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 27,026 in Edinburg, TX. 64% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $26,000 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley →

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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 36/100 — 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 are Human Development & Family Studies earnings lower at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Lower starting pay at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →