[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 11 schools to find the best return on investment for family & community services students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family & community services, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $17,296. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $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 Western Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for family & community services. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $24,499. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #3 place for family & community services. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $17,580. Family & Community Services graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the family & community services program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
New River Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family & community services, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Beaver, New River Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,156, compared with $9,646 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,187 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from New River Community And Technical College generally make around $44,588. Set against $8,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Carolina University landed the #6 spot for family & community services value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $29,607 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Lee University came in at #7 for value in family & community services this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $26,422. Family & Community Services 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. The acceptance rate is 70%.
John Brown University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools. Located in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,756. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $24,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.
Clemson University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value family & community services schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $48,168. That is a strong return on a $23,783 median debt. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. 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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University came in at #11 for value in family & community services this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $30,502 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
