2027 Best Value Adult Development & Aging Associate’s Degree Schools

[Adult Development & Aging](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/adult-development-and-aging/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong adult development & aging education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for adult development & aging students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Adult Development & Aging Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in adult development & aging, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Adult Development & Aging Schools
Leading the list is San Joaquin Delta College, our #1 best value for adult development & aging in the United States. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $6,382. Adult Development & Aging graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Modesto Junior College one of the best values for adult development & aging. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $9,136 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $21,794. That is a strong return on a $9,136 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in adult development & aging will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #3. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult development & aging, landing the #4 spot this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Lansing Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult development & aging, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Chaffey College came in at #6 for value in adult development & aging this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miracosta College placed #7 among the best values for adult development & aging. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Folsom Lake College placed #8 among the best values for adult development & aging. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Sacramento City College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College came in at #10 for value in adult development & aging this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $8,000. Early-career adult development & aging graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. 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.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #12 spot for adult development & aging value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Students borrow a median of $12,863 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Early-career adult development & aging graduates make about $41,689. That is a strong return on a $12,863 median debt.
North Shore Community College came in at #13 for value in adult development & aging this year. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Students borrow a median of $9,622 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $34,978. That is a strong return on a $9,622 median debt.
San Diego City College landed the #14 spot for adult development & aging value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Los Angeles College placed #15 among the best values for adult development & aging. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $8,180 in student loans. Adult Development & Aging graduates of East Los Angeles College earn a median of $10,032 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,180 median debt.
Idaho State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Los Angeles Mission College came in at #17 for value in adult development & aging this year. Los Angeles Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Sylmar. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $39,834 ten years out.
Other Adult Development & Aging Degree Levels
Explore the best-value adult development & aging schools at other degree levels:
View All Adult Development & Aging Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.