Best institutions to study Human Development and Family Studies
A general program that focuses on basic human developmental and behavioral characteristics of the individual within the context of the family.
172 U.S. institutions graduated 9,267 Human Development and Family Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0701, a specialization of Human Development (CIP 19.07), and leads most directly to the Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1192).
About Human Development and Family Studies programs
A general program that focuses on basic human developmental and behavioral characteristics of the individual within the context of the family. Includes instruction in the conditions that influence human growth and development; strategies that promote growth and development across the life span; and the study of family systems.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Human Development and Family Studies program focuses on understanding human developmental and behavioral characteristics within the context of family dynamics. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the factors that influence human growth and development across the lifespan, as well as the study of family systems. It prepares graduates to work effectively in various roles that support individuals and families.
Students in this program gain essential skills such as speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing. Coursework covers topics related to human development, family systems, and strategies for promoting growth and development, equipping students with the knowledge needed to support individuals and families effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Human Development and Family Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree6,195 graduates / yr · 129 institutions67%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year2,001 graduates / yr · 13 institutions22%
- Master's degree517 graduates / yr · 56 institutions5.6%
- Associate's degree387 graduates / yr · 21 institutions4.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship133 graduates / yr · 25 institutions1.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate22 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years11 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.1%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Human Development and Family Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 8,248 |
| 2013 | 8,851 |
| 2014 | 9,122 |
| 2015 | 9,165 |
| 2016 | 9,445 |
| 2017 | 9,749 |
| 2018 | 9,503 |
| 2019 | 9,681 |
| 2020 | 9,921 |
| 2021 | 9,365 |
| 2022 | 8,935 |
| 2023 | 8,207 |
| 2024 | 8,341 |
| 2025 | 9,267 |
Top 50 institutions for Human Development and Family Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAssociate's | 2,590 | 55% | $6,760 | $21,619 |
| 2 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 364 | 86% | — | — |
| 3 | California State University - East Bay Hayward, CAPublicBachelor's | 259 | 48% | — | $41,195 |
| 4 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 216 | 86% | — | $29,690 |
| 5 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 185 | 81% | $13,712 | $25,342 |
| 6 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 169 | 70% | — | $33,543 |
| 7 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.DoctoralMaster's | 152 | 90% | — | $31,392 |
| 8 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 142 | 86% | — | $33,654 |
| 9 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 128 | 83% | — | $31,642 |
| 10 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 125 | 64% | — | $41,717 |
| 11 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 121 | 65% | — | $34,109 |
| 12 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 109 | 73% | — | $34,205 |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor's | 108 | 90% | — | $34,149 |
| 14 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 104 | 69% | — | $39,096 |
| 15 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 103 | 73% | — | $30,264 |
| 16 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 103 | 88% | — | $34,610 |
| 17 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 103 | 60% | — | $39,880 |
| 18 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 102 | 71% | — | $34,241 |
| 19 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 99 | 68% | — | $41,243 |
| 20 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 98 | 68% | — | $36,445 |
| 21 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 97 | 65% | — | $37,964 |
| 22 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 96 | 61% | — | $35,322 |
| 23 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 93 | 65% | — | $35,467 |
| 24 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor's | 91 | 69% | — | $30,205 |
| 25 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 91 | 76% | — | $32,146 |
| 26 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor's | 88 | 82% | — | $36,213 |
| 27 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 88 | 55% | — | $35,047 |
| 28 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 86 | 74% | — | $32,300 |
| 29 | California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CAPublicBachelor's | 86 | 55% | — | $31,184 |
| 30 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 85 | 56% | — | $33,878 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 85 | 86% | — | $34,030 |
| 32 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 80 | 49% | — | $28,342 |
| 33 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor's | 79 | 71% | — | $31,758 |
| 34 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 78 | 35% | — | — |
| 35 | Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 73 | 41% | — | — |
| 36 | Southern Utah University Cedar City, UTPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 73 | 61% | — | — |
| 37 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 73 | 83% | — | $35,436 |
| 38 | Merrimack College North Andover, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 68 | 70% | $33,877 | $33,640 |
| 39 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 61 | 86% | — | $33,489 |
| 40 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor's | 61 | 64% | — | $32,175 |
| 41 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor's | 60 | 85% | — | $29,762 |
| 42 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 58 | 64% | — | $33,643 |
| 43 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 58 | 80% | $35,682 | $32,137 |
| 44 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 52 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 45 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 52 | 34% | — | $34,030 |
| 46 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAssociate's | 49 | 31% | — | $31,256 |
| 47 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana Natchitoches, LAPublicBachelor's | 48 | 43% | — | $27,373 |
| 48 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 48 | 62% | — | $37,123 |
| 49 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicBachelor's | 45 | 55% | — | $29,387 |
| 50 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster'sMaster's | 44 | 75% | — | $36,364 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Human Development field (CIP 19.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 47 states
Where Human Development and Family Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Human Development programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1192, Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Human Development and Family Studies program can pursue careers as Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 3.4%, approximately 200 annual openings, and a median wage of $77,280, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.0701
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1192 | $75,870 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Human Development and Family Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, projects, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as food science, nutrition, and child care.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
Tools and technology used
Other Human Development specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Human Development (CIP 19.07).
- Child Care Provider/CIP 19.0709
Assistant 23,628 graduates / yr397 institutions - Child DevelopmentCIP 19.07064,749 graduates / yr224 institutions
- Child Care and Support Services ManagementCIP 19.07084,048 graduates / yr236 institutions
- Family and Community ServicesCIP 19.07071,706 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Family SystemsCIP 19.0704903 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Early Childhood and Family StudiesCIP 19.0711489 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesCIP 19.0799424 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Adult Development and AgingCIP 19.0702220 graduates / yr34 institutions
- Parent Education ServicesCIP 19.0712partial data157 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Developmental Services WorkerCIP 19.071078 graduates / yr11 institutions
Common questions
What degree can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 172 colleges offering the Human Development and Family Studies program in the U.S.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and writing.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.4% and about 200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Human Development and Family Studies?+
Human Development and Family Studies is CIP 19.0701 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Human Development (CIP 19.07). NCES defines it as: A general program that focuses on basic human developmental and behavioral characteristics of the individual within the context of the family. Includes instruction in the conditions that influence human growth and development; strategies that promote growth and development across the life span; and the study of family systems.
How many institutions offer Human Development and Family Studies programs?+
172 U.S. institutions reported Human Development and Family Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 47 states, awarding 9,267 credentials in the year. That is 20.3% of all Human Development graduates.
How much do Human Development and Family Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Human Development and Family Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $75,870 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Human Development field report median earnings of $33,682 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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