2027 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools
[General Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/human-development-and-family-studies-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general human development & family studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 127 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general human development & family studies students.
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Finding the Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies School for You
The general human development & family studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
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2027 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general human development & family studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools
For return on investment in general human development & family studies, no school beat California State University San Bernardino this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general human development & family studies will find it at California State University East Bay, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $41,195. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,258 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $31,256. Set against $9,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general human development & family studies will find it at Saddleback College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general human development & family studies will find it at Shasta College, which ranked #5. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College earned the #6 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $8,978. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State University earned the #7 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $29,690 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #8 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $30,205. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Miracosta College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
California State University San Marcos came in at #10 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $17,193 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $31,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,193 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
Berea College earned the #11 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
University Of California San Diego landed the #12 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $19,342. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $33,489. That is a strong return on a $19,342 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earned the #13 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $37,381. That is a strong return on a $11,458 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #14 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $21,619. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Clackamas Community College came in at #15 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Clackamas Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oregon City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,265. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $13,915 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Clackamas Community College earn a median of $31,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,915 median debt.
San Antonio College placed #16 among the best values for general human development & family studies. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $11,839. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College landed the #17 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Lamar University placed #18 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,080. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $27,081 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
South Plains College landed the #20 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #21 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $33,878. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Southern Utah University landed the #22 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #23 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $43,574. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $14,869. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Suny Empire State College came in at #25 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general human development & family studies this year:
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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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 127 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.
