2026 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 208 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general human development & family studies students.
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2026 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 Texas Womans University this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $24,170. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $43,090. That is a strong return on a $24,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human development & family studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $21,842. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #3 place for general human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $48,734. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general human development & family studies will find it at Washington State University, which ranked #4. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $24,019. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $39,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Texas State University San Marcos one of the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $22,295 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $35,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #6 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $22,386. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,451. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Mississippi State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $21,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University placed #9 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. 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 $51,067. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #10 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $22,790. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $47,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #11 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $32,769. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Amberton University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Garland, Amberton University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,060.
Vanderbilt University earned the #13 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine placed #14 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $30,983. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #15 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. 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 $51,914. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #16 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $30,583. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $45,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Texas Tech University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $39,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $47,919. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #19 for value in general human development & family studies this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $47,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Tarleton State University placed #20 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $23,222. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lee University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $26,422. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $38,249. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Hardin Simmons University earned the #22 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Students from in state pay about $32,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,674 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Hardin Simmons University generally make around $50,478. Set against $26,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #23 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama placed #24 among the best values for general human development & family studies. 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. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $25,000. 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. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Amridge University ranked #25 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,470. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Amridge University earn a median of $46,125 early in their careers.
Rest of the Top 31 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
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
This ranking is produced 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 14 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.
