2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 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 Rocky Mountains Region
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
Leading the list is College Of Southern Idaho, our #1 best value for human development & family studies in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $20,971. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,250. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $21,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #4 place for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $10,855. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $18,792. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $35,861. Set against $18,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
North Idaho College earned the #7 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of North Idaho College earn a median of $49,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #8 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $43,574. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Idaho State University placed #9 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $51,446. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming landed the #10 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Idaho placed #11 among the best values for human development & family studies. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $27,701 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $34,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University earned the #12 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,573 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $26,561. That is a strong return on a $16,573 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #14 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,250. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $25,342. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Utah landed the #15 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $35,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
