Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other.: The DTI for this program is 76.1%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $29012) to the average debt ($22078) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 76.1%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($29012) against the typical student debt ($22078), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Wondering if Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $29012, and the average student debt is $22078, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.76—which is typical for many fields.
With an annual graduating class of 40263 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other (CIP 19.0799) is a specialized category for advanced behavioral analysts and developmental strategists who work at the intersection of psychology, sociology, and social policy. While a standard human development major focuses on general life stages, professionals in this "Other" category are "Life-Span Interventionists." They study niche developmental contexts, such as the impact of digital environments on childhood, trauma-informed care for specific populations, and the science of resilience in non-traditional family structures.
This field is ideal for "human systems detectives"—individuals who want to understand the deep, invisible forces that shape a person from birth to old age and use that data to build better support systems for vulnerable communities.
What Is an "Other" Human Development and Family Studies Degree?
A degree in this category is an applied social science path that emphasizes longitudinal research, family systems theory, and specialized intervention. You will study the "Developmental Core"—the cognitive, emotional, and social milestones of life—but your focus will be on innovative or high-stakes applications. Because this code houses emerging specialties, your studies might focus on Gerontology and Longevity Planning, Refugee Family Integration, or the Developmental Psychology of Human-AI Interaction. It prepares you to be a "Human Growth Expert" capable of navigating the complex crises of modern life.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Child Life Specialists" who help children and families navigate the trauma of chronic illness and hospitalization
- Develop experts in Family Advocacy and Law, focusing on the rights of children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities
- Prepare professionals for Crisis Intervention Management, overseeing programs for domestic violence survivors or youth aging out of foster care
- Study Intergenerational Dynamics, exploring how wealth, trauma, and values are transmitted through family lineages
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that "development does not happen in a vacuum." You focus on the Ecological Systems Model—understanding how a person is influenced by their family, school, culture, and government policies.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Observation and Assessment—using clinical tools to evaluate developmental progress and family health
- Use "Program Evaluation" to determine if a social service or educational initiative is actually working
- Design Trauma-Informed Frameworks for schools, workplaces, and community centers
- Perform Family Mediation—facilitating communication and conflict resolution during high-stress life transitions
- Utilize Data Analytics for Social Good—interpreting longitudinal data to predict social trends and resource needs
- Understand Public Policy Advocacy—learning how to lobby for changes in child labor, elder care, or education laws
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of psychology, biology, and community advocacy:
- Neuroplasticity Across the Life-Span: How the brain continues to change and adapt from infancy through the senior years.
- Family Diversity and Global Structures: The study of kinship systems in different cultures and the evolution of the "Modern Family."
- The Impact of Technology on Development: Analyzing how social media and screen time affect brain development and social skills.
- Death, Dying, and Bereavement: The linguistics and psychology of grief and end-of-life care.
- Youth Development in At-Risk Environments: Strategies for fostering resilience in children facing poverty or systemic instability.
- Gerontology and the Aging Revolution: Preparing for the economic and social shifts of an aging global population.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as specialists, program directors, and consultants in healthcare, government, and the non-profit sector.
Common job roles include:
- Child Life Specialist: Working in hospitals to support children’s developmental and emotional needs during treatment.
- Elder Care Consultant: Helping families manage the logistical and emotional challenges of caring for aging relatives.
- Non-Profit Program Director: Overseeing youth centers, shelters, or family resource organizations.
- Social Policy Researcher: Working for think tanks to study the impact of early childhood education or parental leave.
- Adoption and Foster Care Liaison: Navigating the legal and psychological complexities of family placement.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor: Providing workplace support for employees facing family or mental health crises.
Where Can You Work?
These specialists are the "human-support engineers" in several key arenas:
- Hospitals and Pediatric Centers: Providing essential psychosocial support in medical environments.
- Government Agencies: Working for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or the Administration on Aging.
- International NGOs: Working on global initiatives for child protection and refugee family support.
- Corporate HR Departments: Designing work-life balance policies and family-friendly benefit packages.
- Legal and Judicial Systems: Acting as a court-appointed special advocate or expert witness in family law cases.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary significantly based on whether you work in direct social service or transition into corporate or policy-level roles.
- Social and Community Service Managers: Median annual salary of approximately $70,000–$95,000.
- Policy Analysts/Researchers: Salaries typically range from $75,000 to $115,000+.
- Child Life/Developmental Specialists: Median annual salary of around $55,000–$75,000.
- Entry-Level Family Support Workers: Often start between $45,000 and $58,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the emotional and systemic complexity. You must master the technical science of human growth while maintaining the empathy to deal with people in their most vulnerable states. It requires a highly resilient and analytical mindset—you must be able to look at a tragic situation and see the structural causes and the data-driven solutions. It is a major that rewards those who are "Systems Thinkers" and who enjoy the challenge of improving human lives through both individual care and large-scale policy change.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Are the person everyone turns to when a family crisis occurs
- Want to understand "what makes people tick" across their entire lives
- Are interested in a career that mixes science, advocacy, and direct human connection
- Want to fix "broken systems" (like foster care or elder care) through better design and data
- Enjoy a mix of academic research and hands-on community work
How to Prepare in High School
- Take AP Psychology and AP Sociology; they are the foundation for understanding human behavior
- Take Biology to understand the physical and neurological drivers of development
- Volunteer for a Crisis Hotline or Youth Mentor Program to see intervention in action
- Join a club like HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) or FCCLA to practice leadership and service
- Read about The Science of Resilience and how people overcome trauma to see the field's impact
The ability to apply developmental logic and human-centered mastery to the complexities of the human life-span is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor