2027 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Master’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 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 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general human development & family studies students.
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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 Florida State University this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $29,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of the best values for general human development & family studies. 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. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $51,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #3 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. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in general human development & family studies will find it at Texas Womans University, which ranked #4. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $24,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $43,090. Set against $24,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for general human development & family studies. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $31,000. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $48,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Arizona State University placed #6 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $16,573. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $26,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,573 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #9 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $39,959. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno placed #10 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $35,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #11 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $22,295 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $35,047. Set against $22,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #12 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,858 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $45,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Amberton University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Garland, Amberton University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,060.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,790 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $47,522 early in their careers. Set against $22,790 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University earned the #16 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $51,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. 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 Missouri Columbia generally make around $47,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Tarleton State University came in at #18 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #19 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $47,919. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama landed the #20 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $30,264. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #21 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $25,232. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $49,851. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Amridge University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,470. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $46,125.
Nova Southeastern University came in at #23 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $46,052. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
Pacific Oaks College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pacific Oaks College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,520 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,715 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Pacific Oaks College generally make around $53,657. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pacific Oaks College admits about 34% of applicants.
Fielding Graduate University came in at #25 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Fielding Graduate University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Fielding Graduate University generally make around $70,531.
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.