2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Bachelor’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.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
California State University San Bernardino tops our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Berea College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $17,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $35,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $20,871 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $26,897. That is a strong return on a $20,871 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #6 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $32,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #7 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $21,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach earned the #8 position for value in human development & family studies this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $30,205. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,938 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $25,965. Set against $20,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #10 spot for human development & family studies value this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University placed #11 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,500. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $20,971 early in their careers. Set against $13,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State University placed #12 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $29,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos came in at #13 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,193 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $31,184 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University East Bay ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $41,195 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #15 for value in human development & family studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $33,878. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #16 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $20,052. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $23,439. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California San Diego ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $19,342 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $33,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,342 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #19 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $26,516. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $62,536. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #20 among the best values for human development & family studies. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $36,275 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $34,347 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University landed the #21 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,170 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $30,619 early in their careers. Set against $24,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #22 for value in human development & family studies this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $28,964. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $27,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University placed #23 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $18,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $35,861. Set against $18,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $17,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $36,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
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
Explore the best-value human development & family studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Human Development & Family Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1057 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 128 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.
