[Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/human-development-family-studies-and-related-services-other/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for other human development, family studies, & related services students.
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The right other human development, family studies, & related services school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other human development, family studies, & related services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Oakland Community College the best value for a degree in other human development, family studies, & related services in the United States. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,310 to complete the other human development, family studies, & related services program here. Early-career other human development, family studies, & related services graduates make about $30,486. Set against $17,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value other human development, family studies, & related services schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the other human development, family studies, & related services program here. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $46,199 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in other human development, family studies, & related services will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for other human development, family studies, & related services graduates is $16,165. Soon after graduation, other human development, family studies, & related services degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $29,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Portland State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value other human development, family studies, & related services schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates carry a median of $23,334 in student loans. Early-career other human development, family studies, & related services graduates make about $44,751. Set against $23,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Washington State University one of the best values for other human development, family studies, & related services. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $39,880 early in their careers. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University came in at #6 for value in other human development, family studies, & related services this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the other human development, family studies, & related services program here. Early-career other human development, family studies, & related services graduates make about $51,260. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value other human development, family studies, & related services schools. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical student debt for other human development, family studies, & related services graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, other human development, family studies, & related services degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $30,983. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University landed the #8 spot for other human development, family studies, & related services value this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,875 to complete the other human development, family studies, & related services program here. Soon after graduation, other human development, family studies, & related services degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $39,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #9 position for value in other human development, family studies, & related services this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Western Michigan University came in at #10 for value in other human development, family studies, & related services this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Students borrow a median of $29,539 to complete the other human development, family studies, & related services program here. Soon after graduation, other human development, family studies, & related services degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $35,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #11 for value in other human development, family studies, & related services this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Typical student debt for other human development, family studies, & related services graduates is $27,500. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $40,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #12 spot for other human development, family studies, & related services value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other human development, family studies, & related services program here. Early-career other human development, family studies, & related services graduates make about $43,574. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Oregon landed the #13 spot for other human development, family studies, & related services value this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other human development, family studies, & related services degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $44,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
Atlanta Christian College placed #14 among the best values for other human development, family studies, & related services. Set in the town of West Point, Atlanta Christian College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,950. Typical student debt for other human development, family studies, & related services graduates is $26,000. Early-career other human development, family studies, & related services graduates make about $25,578. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Grambling State University placed #15 among the best values for other human development, family studies, & related services. Set in the town of Grambling, Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,683, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Students borrow a median of $53,588 to complete the other human development, family studies, & related services program here. Early-career other human development, family studies, & related services graduates make about $23,073. Set against $53,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University landed the #16 spot for other human development, family studies, & related services value this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for other human development, family studies, & related services graduates is $23,783. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $48,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama earned the #17 position for value in other human development, family studies, & related services this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rowan University earned the #18 position for value in other human development, family studies, & related services this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Early-career other human development, family studies, & related services graduates make about $52,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Auburn University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value other human development, family studies, & related services schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other human development, family studies, & related services program here. Early-career other human development, family studies, & related services graduates make about $30,502. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Edgewood College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value other human development, family studies, & related services schools. Located in the city of Madison, Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,860. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the other human development, family studies, & related services program here. Soon after graduation, other human development, family studies, & related services degree recipients from Edgewood College generally make around $56,578. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University earned the #21 position for value in other human development, family studies, & related services this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for other human development, family studies, & related services graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, other human development, family studies, & related services degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Bellevue University came in at #22 for value in other human development, family studies, & related services this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other human development, family studies, & related services degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Merrimack College earned the #23 position for value in other human development, family studies, & related services this year. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Other Human Development, Family Studies, & Related Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other human development, family studies, & related services degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $33,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 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.
