[Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong human development & family studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 603 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human development & family studies students.
Finding the Best Value Human Development & Family Studies School for You
Where you study human development & family studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among human development & family studies schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $6,630 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $23,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,630 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $15,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Ventura College, which ranked #4. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #5 place for human development & family studies. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Skyline College earned the #6 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $18,158 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College came in at #8 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #9 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $6,382. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $65,168. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #10 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,272. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $31,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #11 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Cerritos College landed the #12 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College placed #13 among the best values for human development & family studies. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College placed #14 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Pasadena City College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Lake Land College earned the #16 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $7,769. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Victor Valley College placed #17 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #18 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,136 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $18,807 early in their careers. Set against $9,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College placed #20 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College earned the #21 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #22 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $5,500. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College earned the #23 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $39,090. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College earned the #24 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
North Florida Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,994, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from North Florida Community College generally make around $46,266. Set against $7,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in human development & family studies:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 603 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 603 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).
[Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong human development & family studies education at a price that pays off.
