2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania
[Family, Consumer & Human Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the family, consumer & human sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Community College Of Allegheny County, our #1 best value for family, consumer & human sciences in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,651 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $28,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in family, consumer & human sciences will find it at Northampton County Area Community College, which ranked #2. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Luzerne County Community College one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,600, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $14,614. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $44,353. That is a strong return on a $14,614 median debt.
Reading Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family, consumer & human sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $13,979. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family, consumer & human sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $26,838. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $31,918 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton landed the #6 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public school located in the suburb of Dunmore. In-state tuition and fees average $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Keystone College landed the #9 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of La Plume, Keystone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $28,226 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Keystone College generally make around $33,517. That is a strong return on a $28,226 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Brandywine placed #10 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public school located in the suburb of Media. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cedar Crest College earned the #11 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $30,759. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $62,345. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. Cedar Crest College admits about 84% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Harcum College earned the #13 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. In-state tuition and fees average $32,000. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $30,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern University came in at #14 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,400. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $28,584. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $50,474 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern University admits about 91% of applicants.
Messiah College placed #15 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $32,943 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Temple University earn a median of $31,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary came in at #17 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $26,857. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $48,472. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
