2026 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 121 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 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
Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for human development & family studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Frederick Community College earned it the #2 place for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $17,398. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $49,058. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $8,216 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Erie Community College one of the best values for human development & family studies. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,580. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $25,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery College came in at #6 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College placed #8 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,623. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $28,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baltimore City Community College landed the #9 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. Students borrow a median of $11,202 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Baltimore City Community College generally make around $51,023. That is a strong return on a $11,202 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #10 among the best values for human development & family studies. 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, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $9,651. 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 Westchester Community College landed the #11 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Area Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,979. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College placed #13 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #14 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Luzerne County Community College placed #15 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,614 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $44,353 early in their careers. Set against $14,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $19,533. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $41,157. That is a strong return on a $19,533 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University landed the #17 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $34,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University placed #18 among the best values for human development & family studies. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $20,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $50,370. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of The District Of Columbia came in at #19 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $43,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $44,819. Set against $43,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton came in at #20 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,742, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,640 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Canton earn a median of $46,515 early in their careers. Set against $23,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Canton admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny College At Oneonta ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $36,143 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in human development & family studies this year. 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. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $30,675. Set against $26,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton earned the #24 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dunmore, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, while out-of-state students pay about $25,392. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton admits about 98% of applicants.
Bowie State University came in at #25 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of $34,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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
The ranking above is published 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 · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
