2027 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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong family, consumer & human sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools.
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2027 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
Luzerne County Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools in Pennsylvania. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. In-state tuition and fees average $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,614 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $44,353 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,614 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $18,900. 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 Reading Area Community College one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $13,979. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $49,248. That is a strong return on a $13,979 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $9,651 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $28,078. Set against $9,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,838 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $32,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Cedar Crest College earned the #6 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Students from in state pay about $46,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $62,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the town of DuBois, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,408, while out-of-state students pay about $24,134. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $26,057. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois generally make around $33,375. That is a strong return on a $26,057 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #8 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,057 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $33,375 early in their careers. Set against $26,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State York came in at #9 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the suburb of York, Pennsylvania State University Penn State York is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,057 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $33,375. Set against $26,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Lackawanna College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. In-state tuition and fees average $18,400. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $18,500. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $37,408. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Keystone College came in at #11 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the suburb of La Plume, Keystone College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,226 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Keystone College earn a median of $33,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keystone College admits about 85% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona landed the #13 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona earn a median of $34,030 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Pennsylvania State University Brandywine landed the #14 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public school located in the suburb of Media. Students from in state pay about $15,208 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Brandywine generally make around $34,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #15 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $28,000. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $34,030. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College placed #16 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $25,296. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of $56,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Harcum College landed the #17 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,000. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Harcum College generally make around $30,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabethtown College came in at #18 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,950. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $26,599. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $57,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Messiah College landed the #19 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
Eastern University landed the #20 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,400. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $50,474 early in their careers. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Temple University earned the #21 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $31,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Students borrow a median of $26,057 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $33,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
More Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.