2026 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools in California
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
Leading the list is Saddleback College, our #1 best value for general human development & family studies in California. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $5,707. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #2 place for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Shasta College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Orange Coast College one of the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $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. 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. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University San Marcos earned the #6 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $17,193 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University East Bay placed #7 among the best values for general human development & family studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
University Of California San Diego came in at #8 for value in general human development & family studies this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $19,342 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $33,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,342 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern College Chula Vista placed #9 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,344, compared with $10,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.
College Of The Desert placed #10 among the best values for general human development & family studies. College Of The Desert is a large public school located in the city of Palm Desert. Students from in state pay about $1,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,174. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $7,826. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $7,826 median debt.
Los Angeles Mission College came in at #11 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Los Angeles Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Sylmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,834.
Cuesta College came in at #12 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Set against $18,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sonoma State University ranked #13 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Sonoma State University generally make around $33,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Monterey Bay placed #14 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,779, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,408 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $34,089 early in their careers. Set against $12,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of California Davis came in at #15 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
