2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
[Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1057 schools to find the best return on investment for human development & family studies students.
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2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human development & family studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools
Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among human development & family studies schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $30,519. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,258 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $31,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #6 for value in human development & family studies this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $13,272 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $31,295. That is a strong return on a $13,272 median debt.
Oxnard College came in at #7 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
College Of The Canyons placed #8 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Ventura College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #10 for value in human development & family studies this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $7,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $34,294. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,272 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $6,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College placed #13 among the best values for human development & family studies. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Citrus College placed #14 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Saddleback College earned the #15 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $23,863. That is a strong return on a $6,630 median debt.
Canada College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
West Valley College earned the #18 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earned the #19 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,458. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $37,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,458 median debt.
Pasadena City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Moreno Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,643. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #23 position for value in human development & family studies this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #24 for value in human development & family studies this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Norco College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s human development & family studies value ranking:
Other Human Development & Family Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Human Development & Family Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Human Development & Family Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 1057 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
