Human Development & Family Studies at Southwest Virginia Community College

Cedar Bluff, VA · Public · Certificate · Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

a compact campus enrolling 1,600 students in Cedar Bluff, VA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,582 place Southwest Virginia Community College below the $24,123 national median for Human Development & Family Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 41.8x 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.

Ranked #45 of 85 Human Development & Family Studies programs, Southwest Virginia Community 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.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
55
Score
56
High End
Earnings $19,582/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (67% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (297,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$205K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
41.8x
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)
$4,901
Out-of-state: $10,904

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 →

About Human Development & Family Studies Careers

Your career path often begins on the front lines, either in a bustling community center or a vibrant preschool classroom. You’ll work directly with people, helping a family navigate social service applications on a computer one moment, then guiding children through a creative learning activity with art supplies the next. The work is hands-on, focused on providing direct support and guidance.

Read the full Human Development & Family Studies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Human Development & Family Studies Overview

Human Development & Family Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southwest Virginia Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 55/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Human Development & Family Studies at Southwest Virginia Community College?
This program scores 55/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Human Development & Family Studies programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Should I worry about AI if I study Human Development & Family Studies?
AI won't 'replace' Human Development & Family Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 33% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
Can you still earn well with Human Development & Family Studies from Southwest Virginia Community 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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Human Development & Family Studies graduates?
There are 3 registered apprenticeships connected to Human Development & Family Studies occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Human Development & Family Studies graduates?
With approximately 297,800 annual openings across mapped careers, Human Development & Family Studies offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →