[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for family & community services students.
What’s on this page:
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 Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,296 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,853 early in their careers. Set against $17,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family & community services, landing the #2 spot this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #3 place for family & community services. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Carolina University earned it the #4 place for family & community services. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $27,000. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $29,607. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in family & community services will find it at Southern University At New Orleans, which ranked #5. Southern University At New Orleans is a mid-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,054, while out-of-state students pay about $16,954. Students borrow a median of $56,000 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Southern University At New Orleans generally make around $33,687. That is a strong return on a $56,000 median debt. Southern University At New Orleans admits about 79% of applicants.
Lee University landed the #6 spot for family & community services value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $26,422. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $38,249. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Harding University earned the #7 position for value in family & community services this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,962. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $26,715. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $53,629. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.
John Brown University landed the #8 spot for family & community services value this year. John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Siloam Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $31,756. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $23,625. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $24,935. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University earned the #9 position for value in family & community services this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $48,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama came in at #10 for value in family & community services this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $30,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Auburn University earned the #11 position for value in family & community services this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $30,502. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami landed the #12 spot for family & community services value this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $17,750. Family & Community Services graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Narrow Family & Community Services Schools by State
More Family & Community Services Rankings
View All Family & Community Services Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
