2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 247 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human development & family studies students.
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2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the human development & family studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for human development & family studies in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $6,630 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $23,863. That is a strong return on a $6,630 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Ventura College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $20,250. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Skyline College one of the best values for human development & family studies. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Joaquin Delta College earned it the #5 place for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $6,382. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College placed #6 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Joliet Junior College came in at #7 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. 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. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $18,158. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Modesto Junior College came in at #9 for value in human development & family studies this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,136 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $21,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #10 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $13,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College came in at #11 for value in human development & family studies this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $15,000. 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 earned the #12 position for value in human development & family studies this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $14,308. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Antelope Valley College came in at #13 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,250. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College earned the #14 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College placed #15 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #16 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the human development & family studies program here. 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.
Santa Monica College came in at #17 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. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Lake Land College placed #18 among the best values for human development & family studies. 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, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #20 among the best values for human development & family studies. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Citrus College earned the #21 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #22 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $8,099. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #23 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $8,098. 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.
Hartnell College placed #24 among the best values for human development & family studies. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #25 among the best values for human development & family studies. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Set against $9,602 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:
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
The ranking above is published 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 · 247 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 247 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.