2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in the New England Region
[Family, Consumer & Human Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for family, consumer & human sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in the New England Region
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 North Shore Community College, our #1 best value for family, consumer & human sciences in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $9,622. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $34,978. Set against $9,622 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holyoke Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $9,763. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $43,423. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in family, consumer & human sciences will find it at Massasoit Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,921 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $27,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Charter Oak State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,506. Students borrow a median of $23,584 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Charter Oak State College generally make around $62,864. Set against $23,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Framingham State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $26,207. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $37,432 early in their careers. Set against $26,207 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Vermont earned the #7 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Montpelier. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920, compared with $13,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $12,125. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Community College Of Vermont generally make around $34,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #8 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $24,799 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $30,983. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Connecticut ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $23,059. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $31,642. Set against $23,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Vermont ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $25,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Post University came in at #12 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $42,597 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $30,186. That is a strong return on a $42,597 median debt.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $32,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Johnson And Wales University Online landed the #14 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Johnson And Wales University Online is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,365. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Johnson And Wales University Online earn a median of $32,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Bridgeport came in at #15 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bridgeport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,760. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $54,775. That is a strong return on a $28,601 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $64,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson And Wales University Providence earned the #17 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Johnson And Wales University Providence is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,982. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Johnson And Wales University Providence generally make around $32,586. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Johnson And Wales University Providence admits about 88% of applicants.
Tufts University came in at #18 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $16,170. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $44,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New England landed the #19 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,210. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $26,838. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $53,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Merrimack College came in at #20 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. Students from in state pay about $53,962 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $33,640. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
Rhode Island School Of Design came in at #21 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. 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 $14,537. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
