by our College Data Analytics Team
[Family, Consumer & Human Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong family, consumer & human sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 193 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family, consumer & human sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Skyline College the best value for a degree in family, consumer & human sciences in the Far Western Region. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #4 place for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fresno City College earned it the #5 place for family, consumer & human sciences. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $30,519. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #6 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College came in at #7 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $18,158. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
College Of The Canyons landed the #9 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #10 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College landed the #11 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Irvine Valley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College came in at #13 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $20,250. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego City College came in at #14 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Saddleback College earned the #16 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $5,707. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College earned the #17 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College landed the #18 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #19 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College landed the #20 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,630 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $23,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College placed #21 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Imperial Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $6,176. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Santa Monica College earned the #24 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in family, consumer & human sciences:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 193 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.