2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for human development & family studies students.
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2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
For return on investment in human development & family studies, no school beat Suffolk County Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Erie Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $25,239 early in their careers. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Hudson Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Students borrow a median of $8,216 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $28,815 early in their careers. Set against $8,216 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Prince Georges Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $56,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College landed the #6 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $28,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #7 for value in human development & family studies this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College earned the #8 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Luzerne County Community College landed the #9 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $14,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $44,353. That is a strong return on a $14,614 median debt.
Suny Empire State College ranked #10 on our 2027 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. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reading Area Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,979 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
University Of The District Of Columbia earned the #12 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $44,819 early in their careers. Set against $43,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #13 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #14 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $19,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $41,157. Set against $19,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Montclair State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $34,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Allegheny County ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,651 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $28,078 early in their careers. Set against $9,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #17 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $25,163. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,899. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton came in at #18 for value in human development & family studies this year. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,742, compared with $15,769 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $23,640. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $46,515. Set against $23,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University landed the #19 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Baltimore City Community College came in at #20 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,202 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Baltimore City Community College earn a median of $51,023 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,817 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $30,675 early in their careers. Set against $26,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #22 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,781. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $36,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $23,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of DuBois, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,408 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $26,057. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $33,375. Set against $26,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Bowie State University landed the #25 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,218, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $34,257. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s human development & family studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
