Human Development & Family Studies at University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
43
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,614/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #76 of 156 Human Development & Family Studies programs Top 50%

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 $479K $455K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.3x 12.3x 11.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.6x 5.6x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 43 48

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,912
Out-of-state: $85,088 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,436
-50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,700
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,850
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $32,614/yr, Human Development & Family Studies graduates from University of Northern Iowa land near the $33,473 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 12.3x 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 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,700 debt-to-$32,614 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #76 out of 156 programs, University of Northern Iowa's Human Development & Family Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $32,614 to $43,850 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Northern Iowa

With 94% of applicants admitted, University of Northern Iowa prioritizes broad access, serving 7,599 students in Cedar Falls, IA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Northern Iowa →

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 University of Northern Iowa

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 University of Northern Iowa's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 43/100 — 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 →