2027 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/human-development-and-family-studies-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 106 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general human development & family studies schools.
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2027 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general human development & family studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general human development & family studies will find it at California State University East Bay, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $29,690. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #4 place for general human development & family studies. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $30,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $17,193 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $31,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Berea College earned the #6 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $5,801. 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. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego placed #7 among the best values for general human development & family studies. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $19,342. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $33,489. That is a strong return on a $19,342 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Lamar University earned the #8 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $26,988. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #9 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $12,250. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $21,619 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #10 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $33,878 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Southern Utah University earned the #11 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $12,886. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Suny Empire State College came in at #12 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sonoma State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, compared with $21,224 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $33,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis placed #14 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $14,404. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #15 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $19,600. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $29,762. Set against $19,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of The District Of Columbia placed #16 among the best values for general human development & family studies. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $44,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $24,170. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $30,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $23,466 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $31,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Indiana State University placed #19 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $35,941. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #20 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $35,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
American Public University System landed the #21 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $36,275 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. That is a strong return on a $36,275 median debt.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $15,304 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $35,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $20,938 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $25,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Houston came in at #24 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $22,450. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $37,964. That is a strong return on a $22,450 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University earned the #25 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $26,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
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:
Other General Human Development & Family Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Human Development & Family Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All General Human Development & Family Studies Rankings >
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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 106 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.
