by our College Data Analytics TeamA 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. Read on to learn the important information every general human development & family studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general human development & family studies programs.
In the U.S., general human development & family studies is a popular field of study, with 8,444 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Human Development & Family Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 171 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general human development & family studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general human development & family studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Human Development & Family Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general human development & family studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a general human development & family studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general human development & family studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general human development & family studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 8 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 432 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6,472 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,404 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 128 |
People currently working in careers related to general human development & family studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general human development & family studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general human development & family studies prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to general human development & family studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general human development & family studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of general human development & family studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,243 |
| 4 years | $38,875 |
| 5 years | $44,531 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for general human development & family studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general human development & family studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
With 171 different general human development & family studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general human development & family studies school rankings to help you.
Students interested in general human development & family studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Child Care Provider/Assistant | 22,533 |
| Child Development | 4,599 |
| Child Care and Support Services Management | 3,901 |
| Family and Community Services | 1,267 |
| Family Systems | 765 |
| Early Childhood and Family Studies | 439 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other | 429 |
| Adult Development and Aging | 238 |
| Parent Education Services | 126 |
| Developmental Services Worker | 59 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
