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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Human Development & Family Studies

822 Ranked Colleges
42,112 Degrees Awarded
$29,300 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Human Development Major

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended Human Development Major” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Human Development Major” ranking analyzed 822 colleges that offered a degree in human development and family studies. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in human development and family studies.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Human Development & Family Studies Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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More Human Development Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Human Development Major” 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Most Well Attended Human Development Major

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

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major list. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 525 degrees to qualified ’s human development students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at BYU - I

2

Out of the 822 schools in the Most Well Attended Human Development Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 343 degrees to qualified ’s human development students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at UC Davis

3
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major list. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s human development degrees to 329 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Florida State Human Development & Family Studies Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Human Development Major. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 320 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Human Development & Family Studies at BYU

5

Out of the 822 schools in the Most Well Attended Human Development Major that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - East Bay landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school awarded 292 diplomas to qualified ’s human development students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Human Development & Family Studies at Cal State East Bay

6
Montclair State crest
Montclair State University
Montclair, New Jersey

Montclair State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. Montclair, New Jersey is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s human development degrees to 267 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Human Development & Family Studies at Montclair State University

7
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

Oregon State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. Located in Corvallis, Oregon, this large public school awarded 266 degrees to qualified ’s human development students in 2020-2021.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Human Development & Family Studies at Oregon State

8
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, California

East Los Angeles College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. This large school is located in Monterey Park, California, and it awarded 301 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

Full East Los Angeles College Human Development & Family Studies Report

9
Post University crest
Post University
Waterbury, Connecticut

Post University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. Post University is a fairly large school located in Waterbury, Connecticut that handed out 242 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at Post University

10
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, this large private for-profit school awarded 286 degrees to qualified ’s human development students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at American Military University

11
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #11, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major list. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 235 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Human Development & Family Studies Report

12

California State University - San Marcos landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. California State University - San Marcos is a fairly large public school situated in San Marcos, California. It awarded 223 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUSM Human Development & Family Studies Report

13
Texas Tech crest
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Well Attended Human Development Major list. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s human development degrees to 217 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at Texas Tech

14
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

With a ranking of #14, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major list. UGA is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 203 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UGA Human Development & Family Studies Report

15

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 197 diplomas to qualified ’s human development students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Human Development & Family Studies Report

16

Texas Woman’s University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Well Attended Human Development Major list. TWU is a fairly large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 194 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

Full TWU Human Development & Family Studies Report

17
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Well Attended Human Development Major list. Wazzu is a large school located in Pullman, Washington that handed out 276 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wazzu Human Development & Family Studies Report

18

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking, coming in at #18. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s human development degrees to 185 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Human Development & Family Studies at UT Austin

18

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 185 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Ohio State University - Main Campus Human Development & Family Studies Report

20
RHCCD crest
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, California

Rio Hondo College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. Whittier, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s human development degrees to 301 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Human Development & Family Studies at Rio Hondo College

21
UCONN crest
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut

University of Connecticut came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. UCONN is located in Storrs, Connecticut and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 177 ’s human development degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at University of Connecticut

22
Binghamton University crest
Binghamton University
Vestal, New York

Binghamton University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Well Attended Human Development Major list. Vestal, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s human development degrees to 169 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at Binghamton University

23
UA crest
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The University of Alabama came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 168 ’s human development degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Human Development & Family Studies at The University of Alabama

24
Fresno Pacific crest
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking. Fresno, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s human development degrees to 167 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Human Development & Family Studies at Fresno Pacific University

25

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Human Development Major ranking, coming in at #25. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 164 ’s human development degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 North Dakota State University

Rest of the Best 50 in Most Well Attended Human Development Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
SUNY Empire crest
SUNY Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, New York
27
28
28
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas
30
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
31
Pacific Oaks College crest
Pacific Oaks College
Pasadena, California
31
URI crest
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island
33
33
35
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, California
36
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
37
38
LAVC crest
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, California
39
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, California
39
Southern Miss crest
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
39
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida
42
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
42
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California
44
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas
45
46
47
MJC crest
Modesto Junior College
Modesto, California
47
Merrimack crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, Massachusetts
49
49

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Most Well Attended Human Development Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL
51The University of Arizona Global CampusSan Diego, CA
53Pasadena City CollegePasadena, CA
54University of ArizonaTucson, AZ
55National Louis UniversityChicago, IL
56University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO
56Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA
58El Camino CollegeTorrance, CA
59Kent State University at KentKent, OH
60Baker CollegeOwosso, MI
61Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL
62University of New Hampshire - Main CampusDurham, NH
63University of California - San DiegoLa Jolla, CA
64Santa Monica CollegeSanta Monica, CA
64East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC
RankCollegeLocation
64Missouri State University - SpringfieldSpringfield, MO
67Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, CA
68Fresno City CollegeFresno, CA
69Tulsa Community CollegeTulsa, OK
69Mt. San Antonio CollegeWalnut, CA
71Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale, VA
71Los Angeles City CollegeLos Angeles, CA
73College of the SequoiasVisalia, CA
73Merced CollegeMerced, CA
73University of La VerneLa Verne, CA
76Concordia University, Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN
77University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL
78SUNY OswegoOswego, NY
79Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
79Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL
81Victor Valley CollegeVictorville, CA
81Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
81University of North TexasDenton, TX
84University of Wisconsin - StoutMenomonie, WI
84University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI
86College of the DesertPalm Desert, CA
86MiraCosta CollegeOceanside, CA
88Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos Angeles, CA
88Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA
90Chaffey CollegeRancho Cucamonga, CA
RankCollegeLocation
90University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
90Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL
93Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana, CA
94City College of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA
94SUNY Westchester Community CollegeValhalla, NY
94De Anza CollegeCupertino, CA
97Portland State UniversityPortland, OR
98Ohio University - Athens CampusAthens, OH
98Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY
98Los Angeles Mission CollegeSylmar, CA
101Mt. San Jacinto CollegeSan Jacinto, CA
101South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD
101Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS
101West Los Angeles CollegeCulver City, CA
105Reedley CollegeReedley, CA
106San Bernardino Valley CollegeSan Bernardino, CA
106University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA
106University of MaineOrono, ME
109Moorpark CollegeMoorpark, CA
110Riverside City CollegeRiverside, CA
110Fullerton CollegeFullerton, CA
110Purdue University - Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN
113American River CollegeSacramento, CA
114Central New Mexico Community CollegeAlbuquerque, NM
114Union Institute & UniversityCincinnati, OH
RankCollegeLocation
114University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR
117East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN
117California State University - Monterey BaySeaside, CA
117Tufts UniversityMedford, MA
117San Joaquin Delta CollegeStockton, CA
121Antelope Valley CollegeLancaster, CA
122Louisiana Tech UniversityRuston, LA
122University of Virginia - Main CampusCharlottesville, VA
124Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitoches, LA
124Bowie State UniversityBowie, MD

Notes and References

References

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