2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 200 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 the Southeast 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
Coastal Pines Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among human development & family studies schools in the Southeast Region. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $39,090. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at North Florida Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Madison, North Florida Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,994, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Students borrow a median of $7,902 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $46,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Regional Technical College earned it the #3 place for human development & family studies. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $9,086. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,272. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $31,295. That is a strong return on a $13,272 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes South Georgia Technical College one of the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $40,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #6 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,942 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $34,762 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #7 for value in human development & family studies this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College came in at #8 for value in human development & family studies this year. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $18,059 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $35,441. Set against $18,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College placed #9 among the best values for human development & family studies. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Southwest Mississippi Community College placed #11 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the rural area of Summit, Southwest Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,080, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,057 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $50,292 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,057 median debt.
Cleveland Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Alabama Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $7,459 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $35,119. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College placed #14 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $24,617 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College landed the #15 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,491, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $44,101. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College placed #16 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $10,148. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,598. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College earned the #17 position for value in human development & family studies this year. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,651. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Coahoma Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,490. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $29,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian River State College came in at #19 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $9,616. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Pensacola State College came in at #22 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg landed the #23 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $15,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from West Virginia University At Parkersburg generally make around $45,400. Set against $15,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Florida State College landed the #24 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Niceville, Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Northwest Florida State College generally make around $48,463. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.
Eastern Shore Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Median earnings reach $32,418 ten years out.
Rest of the Top 50 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 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 · 200 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 200 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.
