2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Southwest 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 71 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 Southwest 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
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among human development & family studies schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for human development & family studies. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $19,971. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #3 place for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $31,256. That is a strong return on a $9,258 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus earned it the #4 place for human development & family studies. Set in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,372, compared with $3,268 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Tarrant County College District landed the #6 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $15,148. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #7 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College earned the #8 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $15,720. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #10 spot for human development & family studies value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $20,871 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
St Philips College came in at #11 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #12 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. That is a strong return on a $13,919 median debt.
Northern Oklahoma College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,811. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $40,565. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College placed #15 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $8,542. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College placed #16 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,916 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $14,609 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College placed #17 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $15,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $33,103. Set against $15,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College earned the #19 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $40,499. That is a strong return on a $11,598 median debt.
Houston Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $16,150. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #22 spot for human development & family studies value this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Odessa College placed #23 among the best values for human development & family studies. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Redlands Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $14,682. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. Set against $14,682 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $10,941. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for human development & family studies this year:
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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 · 71 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 71 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.
