2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 148 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 Great Lakes Region
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
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College tops our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $34,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,272. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $30,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Moraine Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,458. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $37,381. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Illinois Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #6 position for value in human development & family studies this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #7 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,533. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #8 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Oakland Community College landed the #9 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $17,310 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,486. That is a strong return on a $17,310 median debt.
Harper College placed #10 among the best values for human development & family studies. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #11 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College placed #12 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
College Of Lake County came in at #13 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Joliet Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,995. 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.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #15 for value in human development & family studies this year. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,272. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport earned the #16 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,783. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $46,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwestern Michigan College placed #17 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Students borrow a median of $17,694 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $49,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College earned the #18 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $20,432. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $32,616. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $9,562. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage earned the #20 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,492. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College landed the #21 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College came in at #22 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,478 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Delta College earn a median of $21,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,478 median debt.
Waubonsee Community College came in at #23 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
Oakton Community College landed the #24 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Schoolcraft College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,677 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for human development & family studies this year:
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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 · 148 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
