Human Development & Family Studies at West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
51
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,306/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (33% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)
ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #53 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 $518K $516K $486K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.4x 13.4x 12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.7x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 54% 50% 42%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 51

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,592
Out-of-state: $109,440 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,988
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
9.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,978
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

West Virginia University's Human Development & Family Studies program produces graduates earning $32,306/yr — within striking distance of the $33,473 national average for this field.

The 13.4x 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 $25,000 debt-to-$32,306 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #53 out of 156 programs, West Virginia University's Human Development & Family Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $32,306 to $48,978 over five years (52% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About West Virginia University

A 86% acceptance rate means West Virginia University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 17,705 in Morgantown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University →

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 West Virginia University

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 West Virginia University's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
This program scores 46/100 — 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 →