by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 928 U.S. colleges awarded 45,898 degrees and certificates in Human Development & Family Studies. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 49% of graduates. College Factual ranks 614 schools in its 2027 Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $33,342 one year after completing, rising to $46,113 after four years.
If you find the idea of studying human relationships, family and public policy fascinating, Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) could be the major for you.
The main purpose of the program is to understand how people develop and relationships form in society. This is an interdisciplinary program where you will study the cognitive, emotional, social and physical development of people throughout different stages. These changes from conception through death are shaped through family, friends, community, and society. This major deals with practical as well as theoretical knowledge and can be very compelling because of its strong relevance to every person.
Classes you may take when studying HDFS could include: child guidance and parenting, contemporary family issues, multiethnic society, early childhood education, human sexuality, child development, lifespan development, psychology, and sociology.
Concentrations in this major include: Adult Development and Aging, Family Systems, Child Development, Family and Community Services, Child Care and Support Services Management, Developmental Services Worker, Human Development and Family Services.
A major in Human Development & Family Studies covers Human Development, Family Studies, And Related Services.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., human development & family studies is a popular field of study, with 45,898 degrees awarded annually. 928 colleges award human development & family studies degrees, an average of 49 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 3,980.
By level, the 45,898 awards include 3,895 certificates, 8,478 associate degrees, 10,060 bachelor’s degrees, 22,593 master’s degrees and 165 doctorates.
Women earned 94% of human development & family studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (43,349 of 45,898). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (17,928) and Hispanic or Latino (14,413), and international students earned 486.
College Factual ranks 614 schools in its 2027 Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools ranking, including 247 for associate degrees, 170 for bachelor’s degrees, 42 for master’s degrees and 2 for doctorates. It also ranks human development & family studies schools within 47 states. In all, 928 colleges offer human development & family studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common human development & family studies credential is the master’s degree: 22,593 of the 45,898 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to human development & family studies call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
If you are interested in studying people of all ages and backgrounds, this major will have plenty to interest you. Your classes will help you understand how people behave and react in different circumstances. Many colleges will require you to gain first-hand experience in an internship or co-op. You will experience work in a variety of different settings so you can get a better idea of what to specialize in.
This major requires critical thinking skills that will allow you to analyze an issue from many perspectives. People make decisions as a result of their emotional, social, physical, and intellectual growth. The nature versus nurture debate will be something you cover in depth in both classes and research. Students will have plenty of practice working on their writing while completing research papers, lab work and recording observations from the field.
Students who excel in this field are both curious and caring. You should want to understand human development in order to learn to help others. The knowledge you obtain can help reduce the stress of people going through medical treatment and help ease family worry. You could also work with youth who may not be given ideal situations to grow up in. You should be able to work with others without judging or patronizing.
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How long a human development & family studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3,895 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 8,478 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10,060 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 22,593 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 165 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to human development & family studies, at 36.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 36.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 18.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.7% |
| Some college courses | 4.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.3% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
14 occupations are related to Human Development & Family Studies, with an average median salary of $68,863; the strongest outlook belongs to Farm and Home Management Educators, at 14.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Adjunct Instructor, Teacher, Food and Nutrition Instructor and Chef Instructor.
With a degree in HDFS you have the ability to work in many different settings. The range of occupations you can participate in includes youth services organizations, program coordinator at a community center, educational programs for students of all ages, a job in a health care setting, family and community services, such as a marriage or family therapist, and long-term care facilities. Many students will decide to obtain their master's degree in behavioral or social sciences.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to human development & family studies, at 1,304,119.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | 520,090 | 9.8% |
| Childcare Workers | 438,372 | 10.8% |
| Nannies | 287,752 | 6.8% |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | 253,977 | 9.5% |
Human Development & Family Studies graduates earn a median $33,342 one year after completing their program, $46,113 after four years and $44,419 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,342 |
| 4 years | $46,113 |
| 5 years | $44,419 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to human development & family studies is Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, with a median salary of $99,604.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | $96,801 |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | $89,337 |
| Neuropsychologists | $83,690 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $75,358 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $73,521 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $69,957 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
Human Development & Family Studies includes 11 concentrations that together award 45,898 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Child Care Provider/Assistant (23,628), Human Development and Family Studies, General (9,399) and Child Development (4,807). It has 8 similar majors in the Family, Consumer & Human Sciences field, which together award 10,394 degrees a year; the largest are Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services (3,673), Apparel and Textiles (2,698) and Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General (2,010). Browse all Family, Consumer & Human Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
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