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Human Development & Family Studies at Northwood Technical College

Rice Lake, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

a smaller institution with 2,026 students in Rice Lake, WI.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $18,516/yr fall 23% below the $24,123 national median for Human Development & Family Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 21.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Human Development & Family Studies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Human Development & Family Studies's career paths, with 33% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $11,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $18,516 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

Ranked #77 of 85 Human Development & Family Studies programs, Northwood Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

There are 3 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Human Development & Family Studies, including Child Care Development Specialist (median $32,050/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
49
Score
50
High End
Earnings $18,516/yr (-23% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (67% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$194K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
21.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
8 of 8
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,048
Out-of-state: $13,166
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Human Development & Family Studies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Psychologists, all other $117,580 +4.3% 56%
Social scientists and related workers, all other $100,340 -1.7% 48%
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary $77,280 +3.4% 46%
Psychologists, all other
$117,580
+4.3% growth 56% AI-proof
Social scientists and related workers, all other
$100,340
-1.7% growth 48% AI-proof
Family and consumer sciences teachers, postsecondary
$77,280
+3.4% growth 46% AI-proof

View all 8 career paths with full salary data →

Human Development & Family Studies Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Human Development & Family Studies careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering family & consumer sciences.

Read the full Human Development & Family Studies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Human Development & Family Studies Overview

View all 85 schools offering Human Development & Family Studies →

Human Development & Family Studies at Other Schools

Ferris State University ($49,671) Campbellsville University ($37,685) City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College ($37,381) North Shore Community College ($34,978) Arapahoe Community College ($34,716) City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College ($34,294) Southern Crescent Technical College ($34,002) Tulsa Community College ($33,103)

Other Majors at Northwood Technical College

Nursing ($64,281) Heavy Equipment Technology ($55,793) Computer Science ($50,239) Criminal Justice ($44,966) Allied Health Professions ($43,765) Precision Metalworking ($42,282) Business Administration ($41,564) IT Management ($41,473)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Human Development & Family Studies degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northwood Technical College's Human Development & Family Studies program score?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Human Development & Family Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How vulnerable is Human Development & Family Studies to AI automation?
AI exposure of 33% is a real factor. For Northwood Technical College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($193,719) and pessimistic ($193,719) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Can you still earn well with Human Development & Family Studies from Northwood Technical College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Human Development & Family Studies through an apprenticeship instead of Northwood Technical College?
The DOL recognizes 3 apprenticeship pathways related to Human Development & Family Studies. For students weighing Northwood Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Human Development & Family Studies from Northwood Technical College?
The very large job market (297,800 annual openings) works in favor of Human Development & Family Studies graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →