by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 172 U.S. colleges awarded 9,399 degrees and certificates in General Human Development & Family Studies. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 67% of graduates. College Factual ranks 116 schools in its 2027 Best General 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.
A major in General Human Development & Family Studies explores Human Development And Family Studies, General. 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: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general human development & family studies is a popular field of study, with 9,399 degrees awarded annually. 172 colleges award general human development & family studies degrees, an average of 55 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 2,590.
By level, the 9,399 awards include 11 certificates, 387 associate degrees, 6,327 bachelor’s degrees, 2,541 master’s degrees and 133 doctorates.
Women earned 91% of general human development & family studies degrees and certificates in the latest year (8,546 of 9,399). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,048) and Hispanic or Latino (1,852), and international students earned 113.
College Factual ranks 116 schools in its 2027 Best General Human Development & Family Studies Schools ranking, including 7 for associate degrees, 97 for bachelor’s degrees, 21 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks general human development & family studies schools within 43 states. In all, 172 colleges offer general human development & family studies programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general human development & family studies credential is the bachelor’s degree: 6,327 of the 9,399 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general human development & family studies call most for Speaking, Active Listening 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 Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Speech Clarity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long a general human development & family studies degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 11 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 387 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6,327 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,541 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 133 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general human development & family studies, at 48.0%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 48.0% |
| Master’s degree | 36.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 7.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.9% |
| Some college courses | 1.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.8% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to General Human Development & Family Studies, with an average median salary of $99,604; the strongest outlook belongs to Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, at 0.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Professor, Family Consumer Science Teacher (FCS Teacher), Chef Instructor and Home Economics Teacher.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to general human development & family studies, at 1,267,153.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
General 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 same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to general human development & family studies, with a median salary of $99,604.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
General Human Development & Family Studies has 10 similar majors in the Family, Consumer & Human Sciences field, which together award 36,499 degrees a year; the largest are Child Care Provider/Assistant (23,628), Child Development (4,807) and Child Care and Support Services Management (4,048). Browse all Family, Consumer & Human Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Child Care Provider/Assistant | 23,628 |
| Child Development | 4,807 |
| Child Care and Support Services Management | 4,048 |
| Family and Community Services | 1,725 |
| Family Systems | 911 |
| Early Childhood and Family Studies | 497 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other | 428 |
| Adult Development and Aging | 220 |
| Parent Education Services | 157 |
| Developmental Services Worker | 78 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
