[Family & Community Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/family-and-community-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong family & community services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value family & community services schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family & community services, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in family & community services, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $17,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $35,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for family & community services. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, 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.
Students looking for strong value in family & community services will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $21,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Washington State University one of the best values for family & community services. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $39,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family & community services, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $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 earned the #6 position for value in family & community services this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $36,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for family & community services value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $21,250. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $34,149. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Baker College Of Flint placed #8 among the best values for family & community services. Baker College Of Flint is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,000. Students borrow a median of $43,076 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of Baker College Of Flint earn a median of $36,494 early in their careers. Set against $43,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baker College Of Flint admits about 82% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,539 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $15,500. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $35,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $29,607. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #12 for value in family & community services this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $23,000. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $32,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #13 spot for family & community services value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $39,096. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #14 among the best values for family & community services. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the family & community services program here. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $32,769. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Kansas State University earned the #15 position for value in family & community services this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University landed the #16 spot for family & community services value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Michigan State University earned the #17 position for value in family & community services this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $31,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University landed the #18 spot for family & community services value this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
John Brown University placed #19 among the best values for family & community services. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,756. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the family & community services program here. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $24,935. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.
Oklahoma Christian University earned the #20 position for value in family & community services this year. Set in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,180. Students borrow a median of $24,721 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Oklahoma Christian University generally make around $49,615. That is a strong return on a $24,721 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southern Nazarene University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools. Set in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,190 in tuition and fees. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $38,563 in student loans. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $53,851. Set against $38,563 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Alabama ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the family & community services program here. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $30,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rockford College came in at #23 for value in family & community services this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,780. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $28,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Rockford College generally make around $56,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Mount St Marys University earned the #24 position for value in family & community services this year. Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emmitsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,630. Students borrow a median of $23,539 to complete the family & community services program here. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $50,657. Set against $23,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount St Marys University admits about 74% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #25 spot for family & community services value this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $30,502. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in family & community services:
Explore the best-value family & community services schools at other degree levels:
View All Family & Community Services 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
