2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong human development & family studies education at a price that pays off.
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
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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among human development & family studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $49,947. That is a strong return on a $17,296 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Southeastern Oklahoma State University one of the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $18,000. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $32,997 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. 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. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $43,090. Set against $24,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Arizona State University 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 Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,757. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $48,734. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Students borrow a median of $19,936 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $28,589. That is a strong return on a $19,936 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Washington State University landed the #7 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $24,019. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $39,880. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $45,656. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #9 for value in human development & family studies this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $24,262. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $47,598. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Central Washington University placed #10 among the best values for human development & family studies. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $27,006. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $32,062 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $31,020 early in their careers. Set against $32,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University came in at #12 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Mississippi State University came in at #13 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $21,243. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $22,295. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $35,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
National Louis University landed the #15 spot for human development & family studies value this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $28,096. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $47,754 early in their careers. Set against $28,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,858 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $45,321. That is a strong return on a $23,858 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #17 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $49,451. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University landed the #18 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,067. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #19 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,790 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $47,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #20 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $32,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Amberton University placed #21 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Garland, Amberton University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,060.
Vanderbilt University landed the #22 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine earned the #23 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $30,983. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #24 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $51,914. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #25 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,583 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $45,027 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,583 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for human development & family studies this year:
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 29 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.
