College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Massachusetts

10 Colleges in the United States
$15,248 Avg Student Debt
$55,980 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Badge [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 10 schools to find the best return on investment for human development & family studies students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Massachusetts

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

1

Northern Essex Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,002. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $44,682. That is a strong return on a $11,002 median debt.

2

Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Massachusetts Bay Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,008 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Mount Wachusett Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,921 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $27,078. That is a strong return on a $5,921 median debt.

4

Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Holyoke Community College, which ranked #4. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. Set against $9,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massasoit Community College earned it the #5 place for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. Set against $10,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

North Shore Community College placed #6 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Students borrow a median of $9,622 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $34,978 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Framingham State University landed the #7 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $49,006. Set against $25,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

8
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #8 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $25,232. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $49,851. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

9
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College landed the #9 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $33,640. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

10
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University landed the #10 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $16,170 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $44,725. That is a strong return on a $16,170 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

View All Human Development & Family Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options