2027 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 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 Southeast Region
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
Florida State University earned the #1 spot for value among general human development & family studies schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $29,690. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general human development & family studies will find it at Berea College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $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 2027 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 very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
American Public University System came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $26,340. 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.
University Of Georgia came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, 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. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $31,392. That is a strong return on a $23,466 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #6 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $28,964 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $27,514 early in their careers. Set against $28,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $26,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University placed #8 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Alcorn State University earned the #9 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. 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. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $31,822. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $37,028 early in their careers. Set against $31,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #10 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $29,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #11 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $29,607. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University landed the #12 spot for general human development & family studies value 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, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $29,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, while out-of-state students pay about $19,652. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $27,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University placed #14 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $24,300 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $45,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #15 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. 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, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $21,243. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Wesleyan University earned the #16 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,800. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $39,792 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of $31,326 early in their careers. Set against $39,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #17 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. 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.
The University Of Tennessee placed #18 among the best values for general human development & family studies. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $22,790 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $39,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Lee University came in at #19 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. Students borrow a median of $26,422 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $38,249. Set against $26,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #20 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $29,539. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Alabama ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. 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. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $30,264 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Virginia University landed the #22 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Set in the town of Buena Vista, Southern Virginia University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,030 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southern Virginia University earn a median of $22,024 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Sc landed the #23 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. Students from in state pay about $34,970 in tuition and fees. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $28,034 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $49,036. Set against $28,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #24 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $21,500. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $33,654 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Liberty University came in at #25 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $31,083 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 27 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), 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
