Best Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Schools in California

California has 20 colleges offering Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 3,029 recent graduates. Graduates earn $28,545 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $29,556.

School choice matters significantly: California State University-East Bay graduates earn $39,119 while Whittier College graduates earn $18,315 — a $20,804 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

20
Schools in CA
$28,545
CA Avg. Earnings
$29,556
National Avg.
155
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services in California

Public Schools (12)
$29,014
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (7)
$27,740
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in California produce comparable or higher early earnings for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

#1
C

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

$39,119
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $39,638
Graduates: 158
Acceptance: 96.8%
#2
P

Pacific Oaks College

Pasadena, CA · Private

$37,883
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $37,256
Graduates: 198
Acceptance: 10.0%
#3
H

Hope International University

Fullerton, CA · Private

$36,141
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $40,466
Graduates: 16
Acceptance: 35.4%
#4
S

Sonoma State University

Rohnert Park, CA · Public

$32,467
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,150
Graduates: 30
Acceptance: 94.7%
#5
U

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

$30,771
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,882
Graduates: 69
Acceptance: 24.5%
#6
C

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public

$30,650
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $27,268
Graduates: 317
Acceptance: 47.1%
#7
C

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public

$29,775
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $27,490
Graduates: 222
Acceptance: 95.7%
#8
C

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public

$29,493
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,331
Graduates: 331
Acceptance: 93.6%
#9
S

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$29,322
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,368
Graduates: 110
Acceptance: 80.2%
#10
F

Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA · Private

$28,960
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,685
Graduates: 87
Acceptance: 57.5%
#11
A

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$28,565
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,067
Graduates: 162
Acceptance: N/A
#12
C

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public

$27,764
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,602
Graduates: 755
Acceptance: 86.7%
#13
U

University of La Verne

La Verne, CA · Private

$27,548
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,289
Graduates: 57
Acceptance: 48.5%
#14
C

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

$27,301
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,951
Graduates: 85
Acceptance: 93.7%
#15
C

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

$26,536
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,393
Graduates: 321
Acceptance: 93.2%
#16
M

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,665
Graduates: 31
Acceptance: 68.7%
#17
C

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

$23,456
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $22,585
Graduates: 24
Acceptance: 88.2%
#18
C

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $22,975
Graduates: 18
Acceptance: 98.3%
#19
P

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, CA · Private

$20,140
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $26,260
Graduates: 38
Acceptance: 81.8%
#20
W

Whittier College

Whittier, CA · Private

$18,315
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 85.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services in California?
California State University-East Bay ranks #1 for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services in California with median graduate earnings of $39,119 within two years of graduation. There are 20 schools offering Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services programs in the state.
How much do Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services graduates earn in California?
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services graduates in California earn an average of $28,545 within two years of graduation. This is 3% below the national average of $29,556 for this major.
What is the hardest Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services school to get into in California?
Pacific Oaks College is the most selective Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services program in California with an acceptance rate of 10.0%. The average acceptance rate across Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services programs in the state is 72.6%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services in California?
In California, private Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services programs produce average earnings of $27,740 vs $29,014 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 12 public and 7 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.