Human Health Design: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Human Health Design is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding how the built environment shapes physical, mental, and social well-being across individuals and communities. This program equips learners with the knowledge and skills to develop spaces that actively support health outcomes, foster healing, and enhance quality of life through intentional design strategies.
- Architecture and Spatial Planning: Explores how building layouts, circulation patterns, and spatial proportions influence movement, accessibility, and psychological comfort in health-focused environments.
- Interior Design for Well-Being: Focuses on material selection, lighting, acoustics, and color schemes that reduce stress and support recovery in clinical and residential settings.
- Human Health Services Integration: Examines the role of design in supporting patient care delivery, staff efficiency, and access to medical services within healthcare facilities.
- Communication and User-Centered Design: Develops strategies for engaging patients, caregivers, and communities in the design process to ensure spaces meet real-world needs and cultural expectations.
- Medical and Clinical Innovation: Investigates how emerging technologies and adaptive design can be integrated into facilities to improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment delivery, and infection control.
- Behavioral and Engineering Sciences: Applies insights from psychology, ergonomics, and systems engineering to predict human behavior and optimize environmental interactions.
- Hospitals and Health Systems Design: Studies the operational dynamics of healthcare institutions and how facility design can streamline workflows, reduce errors, and enhance care continuity.
- Environmental Health Conditions: Analyzes air quality, natural light exposure, noise levels, and biophilic elements to create settings that actively promote physiological and psychological resilience.
Human Health Design Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Human Health Design Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Human Health Design degrees, including Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary, Urban and Regional Planners and Interior Designers. 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 121,740 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1031 | $101,480 | $59,590 - $166,720 | 9,120 | N/A |
Urban and Regional Planners 19-3051 | $83,720 | $55,590 - $128,550 | 43,040 | $40.25 |
Interior Designers 27-1025 | $63,490 | $38,480 - $106,090 | 69,580 | $30.52 |
Human Health Design Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $51,665 in West Virginia to $103,123 in California—a 100% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 121,740 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 Human Health Design by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 1 institutions offering Human Health Design 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 Human Health Design is found at Kansas State University (K‑State) (29 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 29 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Human Health Design programs
How much can I earn with a Human Health Design degree?
Salaries for Human Health Design graduates vary by role and location. Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $101,480 annually, while Urban and Regional Planners earn around $83,720. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $103,123 compared to $51,665 in West Virginia. Approximately 121,740 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 Human Health Design programs?
Currently 1 accredited institutions offer Human Health Design degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Kansas State University (K‑State) (29 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.
What career paths are available with a Human Health Design degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary, Urban and Regional Planners, and Interior Designers. Related occupations employ approximately 121,740 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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