2026 Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Family & Consumer Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/general-family-consumer-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general family & consumer sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 116 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general family & consumer sciences students.
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2026 Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general family & consumer sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Northridge the best value for a degree in general family & consumer sciences in the United States. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general family & consumer sciences will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,906 in student loans. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $32,008. Set against $12,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $14,108. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $33,869. That is a strong return on a $14,108 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Tennessee Martin one of 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $29,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #5 place for general family & consumer sciences. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $27,791. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $26,888. Set against $27,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Louisiana University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $25,401. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $27,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $33,113. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earned the #8 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Located in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, while out-of-state students pay about $17,955. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $27,845. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $28,206 early in their careers. Set against $27,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University earned the #9 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $26,979. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $28,918. Set against $26,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Valley State University placed #10 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Set in the town of Fort Valley, Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,878. Students borrow a median of $44,653 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Fort Valley State University earn a median of $28,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #11 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $31,250 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #12 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $20,975 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $29,114 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,975 median debt. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #13 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,076, compared with $20,122 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $28,000. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $37,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $27,500. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $34,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Jacksonville State University placed #16 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $28,327. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $29,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jacksonville State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Morgan State University earned the #17 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Alabama A And M University placed #18 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $18,634. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $41,531 in student loans. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Set against $41,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #19 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $31,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky came in at #20 for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $31,464. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Iowa State University placed #21 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $43,783. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $61,403. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #24 for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $33,093. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Illinois State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,322 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $48,974 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,322 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general family & consumer sciences value ranking:
Other General Family & Consumer Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general family & consumer sciences schools at other degree levels:
View All General Family & Consumer Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
