2026 Best Value Adult Development & Aging Schools

[Adult Development & Aging](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/adult-development-and-aging/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong adult development & aging education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 73 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value adult development & aging schools.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Adult Development & Aging School for You
Where you study adult development & aging affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Adult Development & Aging 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.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Adult Development & Aging Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Adult Development & Aging Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the adult development & aging degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Adult Development & Aging Schools
Fresno City College tops our 2026 list of the best value adult development & aging schools in the United States. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $8,000. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $30,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Irvine Valley College one of the best values for adult development & aging. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Saddleback College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego City College one of the best values for adult development & aging. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $9,514. Early-career adult development & aging graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Sacramento City College came in at #7 for value in adult development & aging this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
American River College landed the #8 spot for adult development & aging value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #9 for value in adult development & aging this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $11,693. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. Set against $11,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College placed #10 among the best values for adult development & aging. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $14,833. Early-career adult development & aging graduates make about $43,272. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
North Shore Community College placed #11 among the best values for adult development & aging. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,622 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Early-career adult development & aging graduates make about $34,978. That is a strong return on a $9,622 median debt.
Miracosta College placed #12 among the best values for adult development & aging. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Chaffey College earned the #13 position for value in adult development & aging this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Early-career adult development & aging graduates make about $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College earned the #14 position for value in adult development & aging this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $20,783 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Set against $20,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lanier Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $12,278. Early-career adult development & aging graduates make about $37,118. That is a strong return on a $12,278 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #17 spot for adult development & aging value this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Adult Development & Aging graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. Set in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Early-career adult development & aging graduates make about $10,032. Set against $8,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College landed the #19 spot for adult development & aging value this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,136 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Early-career adult development & aging graduates make about $18,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #20 among the best values for adult development & aging. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $12,863. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $25,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Gwinnett College came in at #21 for value in adult development & aging this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,532, while out-of-state students pay about $13,844. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $21,280 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Georgia Gwinnett College generally make around $55,992. Set against $21,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ferris State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $28,385. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $42,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Arizona State University landed the #23 spot for adult development & aging value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Los Angeles Mission College came in at #24 for value in adult development & aging this year. Located in the city of Sylmar, Los Angeles Mission College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,572. Median earnings reach $39,834 ten years out.
Eastern Washington University earned the #25 position for value in adult development & aging this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $19,936. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $28,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,936 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Adult Development & Aging Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in adult development & aging:
Narrow Adult Development & Aging Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Adult Development & Aging. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.