Housing and Human Environments: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the dynamic intersection of people and place through a comprehensive academic focus on housing and human environments. This program examines how living and working spaces are shaped by human behavior, societal needs, economic forces, and design principles, with an emphasis on creating functional, sustainable, and aesthetically meaningful environments.
- Behavioral Aspects of Space: Investigates how individuals and communities interact with built environments, focusing on spatial preferences, privacy needs, and psychological impacts of design.
- Social Dimensions of Housing: Explores the role of housing in shaping social structures, community development, and equity, including access, inclusion, and cultural influences on residential life.
- Economic Factors in Design and Development: Analyzes cost structures, market trends, affordability, and financial planning in residential and interior projects across diverse socioeconomic contexts.
- Functional Planning and Spatial Efficiency: Focuses on optimizing layouts, circulation, and usability in homes, workplaces, and recreational areas to enhance daily living and productivity.
- Aesthetic and Design Principles: Covers visual harmony, material selection, color theory, lighting, and style integration to create visually compelling and contextually appropriate spaces.
- Residential and Interior Design Strategies: Develops skills in selecting furnishings, fixtures, and finishes that align with user needs, environmental standards, and evolving lifestyle trends.
- Public Policy and Housing Regulation: Studies government frameworks, zoning laws, building codes, and housing initiatives that influence the creation, accessibility, and sustainability of living environments.
Housing and Human Environments Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Housing and Human Environments Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Housing and Human Environments degrees, including Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Farm and Home Management Educators. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 12,890 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1192 | $77,280 | $47,580 - $133,180 | 2,630 | N/A |
| Farm and Home Management Educators 25-9021 | $58,120 | $36,780 - $85,230 | 10,260 | $27.94 |
Housing and Human Environments Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $31,760 in Georgia to $116,435 in California—a 267% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Idaho, and Louisiana. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 12,890 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Housing and Human Environments by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 7 institutions offering Housing and Human Environments programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Housing and Human Environments is found at University of Georgia (UGA) (121 graduates), Missouri State University, Springfield (29 graduates), Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (23 graduates), Texas Tech University (TTU) (6 graduates), and University of Missouri (Mizzou), Columbia (4 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 186 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
121 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Master's
|
6 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Master's
|
4 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Ohio University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Zanesville, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Housing and Human Environments programs
How much can I earn with a Housing and Human Environments degree?
Salaries for Housing and Human Environments graduates vary by role and location. Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,280 annually, while Farm and Home Management Educators earn around $58,120. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $116,435 compared to $31,760 in Georgia. Approximately 12,890 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Housing and Human Environments programs?
Currently 7 accredited institutions offer Housing and Human Environments degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Georgia (UGA) (121 graduates), Missouri State University, Springfield (29 graduates), and Ohio University (OHIO), Main Campus (23 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Housing and Human Environments growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 471 in 2010 to a peak of 192 in 2020, before declining slightly to 186 in 2023-24. This represents a 61% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Housing and Human Environments degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Farm and Home Management Educators, . Related occupations employ approximately 12,890 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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