2027 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Family, Consumer & Human Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong family, consumer & human sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 87 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for family, consumer & human sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family, consumer & human sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Joliet Junior College the best value for a degree in family, consumer & human sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Lake Land College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $5,677. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,677 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lewis And Clark Community College one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Illinois Valley Community College earned it the #4 place for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $33,224. Set against $8,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #5 place for family, consumer & human sciences. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Macomb Community College landed the #6 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College placed #7 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $48,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College earned the #8 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kellogg Community College came in at #9 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College earned the #10 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $9,562. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $46,233. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Schoolcraft College landed the #11 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $46,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College earned the #12 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $43,834. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College came in at #13 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Lansing Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $16,700. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Rock Valley College landed the #15 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Prairie State College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,663 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, while out-of-state students pay about $7,360. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $46,384. That is a strong return on a $13,783 median debt.
Morton College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,884, while out-of-state students pay about $11,028. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $7,734. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Morton College earn a median of $23,252 early in their careers. Set against $7,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,478 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $21,881. That is a strong return on a $14,478 median debt.
Mott Community College placed #20 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $20,645 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $37,989. That is a strong return on a $20,645 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #21 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
College Of Lake County landed the #22 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College placed #23 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black Hawk College earned the #24 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the city of Moline, Black Hawk College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,100. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,340 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $44,286. Set against $11,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College earned the #25 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,310 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $30,486. That is a strong return on a $17,310 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in family, consumer & human sciences:
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More Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.