2026 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 41 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 Southeast Region
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
Florida State University earned the #1 spot for value among general human development & family studies schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. 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. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $29,690. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Berea College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $5,801. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $33,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $23,466. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $31,392. Set against $23,466 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #5 place for general human development & family studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,340 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $28,964 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. 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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $26,591. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Alcorn State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,785. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $31,822 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Alcorn State University generally make around $37,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,864 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $27,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
East Carolina University landed the #10 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $29,607. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #11 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $28,250. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $29,094. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Mississippi State University placed #12 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $27,500. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $21,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Southern University At New Orleans came in at #13 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Southern University At New Orleans is a mid-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $8,054, with out-of-state students paying around $16,954. Students borrow a median of $56,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Southern University At New Orleans generally make around $33,687. That is a strong return on a $56,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas earned the #14 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $31,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University came in at #15 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $30,500. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $29,387. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #16 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,300 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $45,140. That is a strong return on a $24,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #17 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,790 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $39,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University came in at #18 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. 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. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #19 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $26,750. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $29,539 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Southern Wesleyan University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Central. In-state tuition and fees average $29,800. Students borrow a median of $39,792 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Southern Wesleyan University generally make around $31,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Wesleyan University admits about 100% of applicants.
Lee University came in at #21 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,790. 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%.
John Brown University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,756. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from John Brown University generally make around $50,420. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama earned the #23 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, 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. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $30,264 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #24 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $33,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Southern Virginia University came in at #25 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the town of Buena Vista, Southern Virginia University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,030 in tuition and fees. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Southern Virginia University generally make around $22,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Virginia University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general human development & family studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
