[General Family & Consumer Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/general-family-consumer-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for general family & consumer sciences students.
Finding the Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences School for You
The right general family & consumer sciences school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Shasta College tops our 2027 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $33,721 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $12,906 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $14,108 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $33,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general family & consumer sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #6 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $13,287. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $35,977. Set against $17,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #8 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Western College came in at #9 for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #10 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $29,288. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Lone Star College System landed the #11 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #12 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $41,435 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #13 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $27,791. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $26,888. That is a strong return on a $27,791 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,845 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $28,206. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Southeastern Louisiana University earned the #15 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,373, while out-of-state students pay about $20,851. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,401 in student loans. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $27,399. That is a strong return on a $25,401 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore placed #16 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Princess Anne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,076, while out-of-state students pay about $20,122. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $37,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #17 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #18 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $41,579. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Tennessee Technological University placed #19 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,975 in student loans. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $29,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $20,000. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $35,369. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Jacksonville State University placed #21 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Students borrow a median of $28,327 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $29,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,327 median debt. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #22 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $22,635. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #23 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Morgan State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $31,331. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #25 for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $31,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general family & consumer sciences this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[General Family & Consumer Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/general-family-consumer-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
