2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Virginia
[Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong human development & family studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human development & family studies students.
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2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Virginia
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 Patrick Henry Community College, our #1 best value for human development & family studies in Virginia. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Students borrow a median of $11,235 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $16,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Eastern Shore Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Median earnings reach $32,418 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Paul D Camp Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,012 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Students borrow a median of $11,074 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Paul D Camp Community College generally make around $40,070. That is a strong return on a $11,074 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earned it the #4 place for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Virginia Western Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $21,057. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College earned the #6 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
Germanna Community College placed #7 among the best values for human development & family studies. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,880. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #8 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,495 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #9 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $5,500. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $19,582 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lord Fairfax Community College placed #10 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,698 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College came in at #11 for value in human development & family studies this year. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $13,132 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $46,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College came in at #12 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $9,494. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $44,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,494 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College placed #13 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, while out-of-state students pay about $11,595. Students borrow a median of $10,384 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Central Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,309 early in their careers. Set against $10,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #14 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $16,342 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $25,890. Set against $16,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $36,758. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College came in at #16 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Students borrow a median of $13,638 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $22,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,768 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $40,020. That is a strong return on a $11,768 median debt.
George Mason University landed the #18 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $24,300 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $45,140. That is a strong return on a $24,300 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $34,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Southern Virginia University landed the #20 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the town of Buena Vista, Southern Virginia University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,030 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Southern Virginia University generally make around $22,024. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #21 among the best values for human development & family studies. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $33,654. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #22 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $31,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
More Human Development & Family Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
