2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value human development & family studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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
For return on investment in human development & family studies, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $45,583. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $43,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
College Of The Ozarks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #4 place for human development & family studies. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $26,593. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moberly Area Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,507. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $44,755. Set against $12,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College placed #6 among the best values for human development & family studies. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Cowley County Community College generally make around $34,099. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $8,837. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $35,742. That is a strong return on a $8,837 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #8 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $27,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $39,749. That is a strong return on a $11,362 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area placed #10 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $16,165. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $29,534. Set against $16,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Central College came in at #11 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,139. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $46,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff landed the #12 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, compared with $6,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,350. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $37,259 early in their careers. Set against $11,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allen County Community College earned the #13 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the town of Iola, Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,260, with out-of-state students paying around $4,860. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $10,032. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Allen County Community College earn a median of $25,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,032 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #14 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston earned the #15 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #16 for value in human development & family studies this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $22,623. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota placed #17 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #18 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $17,650. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,650 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned the #19 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,780, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $39,833. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pine Technical College came in at #20 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Students borrow a median of $22,454 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $44,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #21 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $43,164. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt.
North Central Missouri College came in at #22 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,370, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,685 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $26,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $26,569 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,717. That is a strong return on a $26,569 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #24 spot for human development & family studies value this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $36,267. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #25 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $15,995. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 39 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
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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
