[Family & Community Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/family-and-community-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for family & community services students.
What’s on this page:
The right family & community services school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Family & Community Services Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Family & Community Services Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
See how we build our rankings
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the family & community services degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in family & community services in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $17,296. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $42,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Palomar College earned it the #2 place for family & community services. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
A rank of #3 makes Butte College one of the best values for family & community services. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, while out-of-state students pay about $9,276. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family & community services, landing the #4 spot this year. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of Merced College earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Long Beach City College earned it the #5 place for family & community services. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the family & community services program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Sinclair Community College earned the #6 position for value in family & community services this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $12,525. Family & Community Services graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College came in at #7 for value in family & community services this year. 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, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Utah Valley University earned the #8 position for value in family & community services this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $20,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $21,619. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University landed the #10 spot for family & community services value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $17,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $34,901. Set against $17,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in family & community services this year. Set in the rural area of Beaver, New River Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,646. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $8,187. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $44,588. Set against $8,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Salado College came in at #13 for value in family & community services this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Guam Community College came in at #14 for value in family & community services this year. Located in the suburb of Mangilao, Guam Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,414, compared with $4,614 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Guam Community College generally make around $15,972.
Connors State College earned the #15 position for value in family & community services this year. Connors State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warner. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $7,530. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $16,071 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of Connors State College earn a median of $47,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Alabama landed the #16 spot for family & community services value this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of St Francis landed the #17 spot for family & community services value this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of University Of St Francis earn a median of $70,918 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,695 median debt. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Rogue Community College landed the #18 spot for family & community services value this year. Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Grants Pass. Students from in state pay about $5,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $15,248 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Rogue Community College generally make around $51,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Youngstown State University placed #19 among the best values for family & community services. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Set against $26,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #20 position for value in family & community services this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the family & community services program here. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $46,981. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #21 among the best values for family & community services. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $24,161. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,256. Set against $24,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #22 for value in family & community services this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the family & community services program here. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $49,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #23 for value in family & community services this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $24,019. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $39,880. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #24 spot for family & community services value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $19,533. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $41,157. Set against $19,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #25 for value in family & community services this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $36,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for family & community services this year:
Narrow Family & Community Services Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Family & Community Services. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
