2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Illinois
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 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 Illinois
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
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $7,769. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for human development & family studies. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,149. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #5 place for human development & family studies. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Triton College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #7 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #8 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
Oakton Community College earned the #9 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #10 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,289. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie State College placed #11 among the best values for human development & family studies. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $15,663. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College came in at #12 for value in human development & family studies this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morton College placed #13 among the best values for human development & family studies. Morton College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cicero. In-state tuition and fees average $4,884, compared with $11,028 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $7,734. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $23,252. That is a strong return on a $7,734 median debt.
Highland Community College Freeport landed the #14 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,360. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. That is a strong return on a $13,783 median debt.
Kaskaskia College landed the #15 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $7,875. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Black Hawk College earned the #16 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,340 median debt.
Mchenry County College earned the #17 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John A Logan College earned the #18 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the town of Carterville, John A Logan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,479 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from John A Logan College generally make around $40,806. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
College Of Lake County came in at #19 for value in human development & family studies this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #20 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,272. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,292. Set against $12,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College placed #21 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College landed the #22 spot for human development & family studies value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,458. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College generally make around $37,381. Set against $11,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $34,294. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Parkland College earned the #24 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sauk Valley Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,340, while out-of-state students pay about $12,900. Students borrow a median of $12,811 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Sauk Valley Community College earn a median of $48,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,811 median debt.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s human development & family studies value ranking:
More Human Development & Family Studies Rankings
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
