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2023 Best Value Colleges for Human Development & Family Studies in the Plains States Region

26 Ranked Colleges
1,743 Degrees Awarded
$13,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 42,112 people earned their degree in human development and family studies, making the major the 44th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, human development and family studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,862 and had an average of $22,387 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,743 human development and family studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,697 and $25,652 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 26 colleges that offered a degree in human development and family studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality human development and family studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the human development and family studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region human development students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Human Development & Family Studies in the Plains States Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 164 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $16,998 for plains states region human development students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University Human Development & Family Studies Report

2

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Metropolitan Community College is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 14 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region human development students list, MCC has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $4,315 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Metropolitan Community College Human Development & Family Studies Report

3
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #3 spot on the list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 60 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region human development students list, South Dakota State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $18,578 for Plains States Region Human Development students per year to attend South Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State Human Development & Family Studies Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minneapolis Community and Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minneapolis Community and Technical College is $12,908 for plains states region human development students.

Full Minneapolis Community and Technical College Human Development & Family Studies Report

5
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hennepin Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s human development degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

Hennepin Technical College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Hennepin Technical College is $10,726 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at Hennepin Technical College

6

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. This small school is located in Winona, Minnesota, and it awarded 14 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

SMU MN also made our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for SMU MN is $21,101 for plains states region human development students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at SMU MN

7
Saint Paul College crest
Saint Paul College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Saint Paul College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 34 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Saint Paul College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,507 for plains states region human development students per year to attend Saint Paul College.

Read full report on Human Development & Family Studies at Saint Paul College

8

Iowa State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 105 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region human development students list, Iowa State has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $16,002 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at Iowa State

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s human development degrees to qualified students.

UNL also took the #3 spot in our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for plains states region human development students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Human Development & Family Studies Report

10
Southeast Tech crest
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Southeast Technical College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. Southeast Tech is a public institution located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Southeast Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Tech is $16,188 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Southeast Technical College Human Development & Family Studies Report

11
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 20 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

Capella University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,545 for plains states region human development students per year to attend Capella University.

Full Capella University Human Development & Family Studies Report

12
Saint Louis Community College crest
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Louis Community College is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region human development students list, Saint Louis Community College has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Louis Community College is $7,056 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

Full Saint Louis Community College Human Development & Family Studies Report

13

Missouri State University - Springfield ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large public school situated in Springfield, Missouri. It awarded 90 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State is $16,718 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at Missouri State University - Springfield

14

Des Moines Area Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #14. DMACC is located in Ankeny, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 71 ’s human development degrees to qualified students.

DMACC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend DMACC is $9,557 for plains states region human development students.

Full Des Moines Area Community College Human Development & Family Studies Report

15

Southeast Community College Area landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this medium-sized public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s human development students in 2020-2021.

Southeast Community College also made our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Community College is $7,190 for plains states region human development students.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at Southeast Community College Area

16
Cowley College crest
Cowley County Community College
Arkansas City, Kansas

Cowley County Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Cowley College is located in Arkansas City, Kansas and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s human development degrees to qualified students.

Cowley College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cowley County Community College is $7,597 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at Cowley County Community College

17

University of Northern Iowa ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $16,438 for plains states region human development students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UNI Human Development & Family Studies Report

18

With a ranking of #18, Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. MCC is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 14 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

MCC also made our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $6,966 for Plains States Region Human Development students per year to attend MCC.

Full MCC Human Development & Family Studies Report

19
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 144 degrees to qualified ’s human development students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $18,433 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full K -State Human Development & Family Studies Report

20
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. University of Central Missouri is a fairly large school located in Warrensburg, Missouri that handed out 45 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

UCM also made our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $14,058 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at UCM

21

Concordia University, Saint Paul ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 74 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Saint Paul did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Saint Paul is $15,880 for plains states region human development students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Saint Paul Human Development & Family Studies Report

22

With a ranking of #22, Ozarks Technical Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s human development degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.

OTC also made our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $7,525 for Plains States Region Human Development students per year to attend OTC.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at Ozarks Technical Community College

23
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #23, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s human development degrees to qualified students.

Southeast Missouri State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at Southeast Missouri State University

24

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #24. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s human development degrees to qualified students.

Mizzou also took the #6 spot in our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $16,559 for Plains States Region Human Development students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at University of Missouri - Columbia

25
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Walden University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Human Development Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large private for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified ’s human development students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region human development students list, Walden University has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Human Development & Family Studies at Walden University

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