2026 Best Value Adult Development & Aging Master’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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 73 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for adult development & aging students.
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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
Leading the list is Arizona State University, our #1 best value for adult development & aging in the United States. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult development & aging, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,936 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Soon after graduation, adult development & aging degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Washington State University one of the best values for adult development & aging. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for adult development & aging graduates is $24,019. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $54,697 early in their careers. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in adult development & aging, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $47,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in adult development & aging will find it at Oklahoma State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Adult Development & Aging graduates carry a median of $23,858 in student loans. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Lee University came in at #6 for value in adult development & aging this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,422 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Adult Development & Aging graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. Set against $26,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value adult development & aging schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,742 to complete the adult development & aging program here. Early-career adult development & aging graduates make about $49,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in adult development & aging this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Other Adult Development & Aging Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Adult Development & Aging rankings across degree levels:
View All Adult Development & Aging Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 1 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.
