2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 208 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general human development & family studies schools.
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2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $30,205. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general human development & family studies will find it at Berea College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $31,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,342 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $33,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
California State University East Bay ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $41,195 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos placed #7 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $17,193 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #8 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $26,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #10 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. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas Womans University earned the #11 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,170 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $30,619. That is a strong return on a $24,170 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $20,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,304 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $35,436. Set against $15,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Sonoma State University came in at #15 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $33,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #17 for value in general human development & family studies this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $23,466 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $31,392. That is a strong return on a $23,466 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University landed the #18 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $12,886. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Lamar University came in at #19 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. 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.
University Of Houston placed #20 among the best values for general human development & family studies. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, 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. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of California Davis ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $28,964. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $27,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #23 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $19,600 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $29,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #24 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $35,467. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
American Public University System landed the #25 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $36,275 in student loans. 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general human development & family studies:
Other General Human Development & Family Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general human development & family studies schools at other degree levels:
View All General Human Development & Family Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 208 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 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.
