[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong family & community services education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value family & community services schools.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Family & Community Services Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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 Fresno City College this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $30,519. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Merced College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value family & community services schools. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butte College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family & community services, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in family & community services will find it at Long Beach City College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Palomar College one of the best values for family & community services. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Rogue Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value family & community services schools. Located in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,256, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,248 median debt.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value family & community services schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $36,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Washington State University came in at #8 for value in family & community services this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $39,880. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Narrow Family & Community Services Schools by State
More Family & Community Services Rankings
View All Family & Community Services 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 · 10 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.
