Best colleges for Human Development
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Human Development by graduate earnings are National Louis University ($46,954), University of the District of Columbia ($44,819) and Tufts University ($44,345), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- National Louis University (Chicago, IL): $46,954, 133 graduates a year
- University of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC): $44,819, 22 graduates a year
- Tufts University (Medford, MA): $44,345, 76 graduates a year
- North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND): $41,717, 125 graduates a year
- Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK): $41,243, 107 graduates a year
Compare 927 U.S. colleges offering Human Development by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 54 states.
Human Development programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,295 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 19.07 and the Social and Human Service Assistants occupation (BLS SOC).
About Human Development programs
The Human Development program, officially titled Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, focuses on understanding the various aspects of human growth and family dynamics. This interdisciplinary field falls under Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences and is designed for students interested in exploring the complexities of human development across the lifespan.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in areas such as psychology, therapy and counseling, and customer service. Coursework typically covers topics like child development, family systems, and community services, equipping students with the knowledge to assess needs and implement effective interventions.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Louis University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,954 | 133 | 30% | $18,904 | $28,096 |
| 2 | University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,819 | 22 | 33% | — | $43,500 |
| 3 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,345 | 76 | 94% | $23,570 | $16,170 |
| 4 | North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,717 | 125 | 64% | — | $26,569 |
| 5 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,243 | 107 | 68% | — | $23,858 |
| 6 | California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,195 | 259 | 48% | — | $18,000 |
| 7 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,157 | 69 | 89% | — | $19,533 |
| 8 | Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OK Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,062 | 25 | 51% | $19,619 | $38,563 |
| 9 | Concordia University - Saint Paul Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,593 | 34 | 46% | $17,328 | $30,583 |
| 10 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,880 | 120 | 60% | — | $24,019 |
| 11 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,096 | 150 | 69% | — | $23,250 |
| 12 | Pacific Oaks College Pasadena, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,077 | 43 | — | — | $27,715 |
| 13 | Ohio University Athens, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,973 | 32 | 65% | — | $27,000 |
| 14 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,964 | 97 | 65% | — | $22,450 |
| 15 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,458 | 22 | 57% | — | $31,000 |
| 16 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,123 | 51 | 62% | — | $24,500 |
| 17 | University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,050 | 32 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 18 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,858 | 37 | 84% | $28,851 | $22,981 |
| 19 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,743 | 50 | 62% | — | $17,500 |
| 20 | Baker College Owosso, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,494 | 45 | 36% | $15,493 | $43,076 |
| 21 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,445 | 126 | 68% | — | $20,400 |
| 22 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,364 | 44 | 75% | — | $24,958 |
| 23 | Binghamton University Vestal, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,213 | 88 | 82% | — | $19,500 |
| 24 | SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,143 | 29 | 69% | — | $23,250 |
| 25 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,040 | 44 | 64% | — | $18,250 |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College Chicago, IL Public · Associate degree | $37,381 | 144 | 32% | — | — |
| 2 | Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY Private not-for-profit · Associate degree Small program | $37,685 | 13 | 42% | $18,824 | $20,820 |
| 3 | North Shore Community College Danvers, MA Public · Associate degree | $34,978 | 54 | 18% | — | $9,622 |
Specializations within Human Development
11 of the 11 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 19.07 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Child Care Provider/CIP 19.0709
Assistant 23,628 graduates / yr397 institutions38 states - Human Development and Family StudiesCIP 19.07019,267 graduates / yr172 institutions47 states
- Child DevelopmentCIP 19.07064,749 graduates / yr224 institutions38 states
- Child Care and Support Services ManagementCIP 19.07084,048 graduates / yr236 institutions36 states
- Family and Community ServicesCIP 19.07071,706 graduates / yr67 institutions31 states
- Family SystemsCIP 19.0704903 graduates / yr18 institutions14 states
- Early Childhood and Family StudiesCIP 19.0711New in CIP 2020489 graduates / yr22 institutions14 states
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesCIP 19.0799424 graduates / yr29 institutions22 states
- Adult Development and AgingCIP 19.0702220 graduates / yr34 institutions18 states
- Parent Education ServicesCIP 19.0712New in CIP 2020partial data157 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
- Developmental Services WorkerCIP 19.071078 graduates / yr11 institutions9 states
Offered across 54 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-1093, Social and Human Service Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Human Development program can pursue various careers in fields such as child care, family services, and developmental support. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 6.4% and about 50,600 annual job openings. The median wage for these roles is approximately $45,120, with a typical education requirement of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Human Development
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 19.07.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 19.07 (Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services) maps to 10 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-3039 | Psychologists, All Other |
| 19-3099 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 21-1093 | Social and Human Service Assistantsprimary |
| 21-1099 | Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other |
| 25-1192 | Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2011 | Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education |
| 25-9021 | Farm and Home Management Educators |
| 25-9042 | Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education |
| 25-9043 | Teaching Assistants, Special Education |
| 39-9011 | Childcare Workers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Human Development programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
- Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
- Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
- Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
- Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
- Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Human Development program?+
The program focuses on human growth and family dynamics across the lifespan.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and understanding psychology.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work in child care, family services, and developmental support roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is favorable, with a growth rate of 6.4% and about 50,600 annual openings.
How much do Human Development graduates earn?+
Human Development graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,295, College Scorecard (2019); the Social and Human Service Assistants occupation pays about $47,690 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Human Development?+
Human Development maps to CIP 19.07 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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