2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Family, Consumer & Human Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 115 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 The Plains States 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
Saint Louis Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $11,424. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $26,593. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Central Community College one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
Salina Area Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,128. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $17,124. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
Allen County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the town of Iola, Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,260, with out-of-state students paying around $4,860. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,032 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Allen County Community College generally make around $25,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College 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 Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $15,328. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $39,168. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cowley County Community College landed the #6 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $9,312. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $34,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #7 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $8,837. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #8 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $12,281. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $46,660. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $27,003. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area placed #10 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,165 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $29,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,165 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #11 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $15,779 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $41,681. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $39,833. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $15,995. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Central College came in at #14 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $46,447. Set against $13,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #15 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pine Technical College came in at #16 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,738. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,454 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Pine Technical College generally make around $44,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $11,500. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $22,623 early in their careers. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Missouri College earned the #18 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $16,685. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $26,867. Set against $16,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #19 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff generally make around $37,259. That is a strong return on a $11,350 median debt.
Iowa Western Community College came in at #20 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $7,080. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $15,153. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $17,650. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $32,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mineral Area College earned the #22 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Mineral Area College generally make around $46,535. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
Lincoln University Missouri earned the #23 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the city of Jefferson City, Lincoln University Missouri is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,796, compared with $17,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,831 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Lincoln University Missouri generally make around $37,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn Institute Of Technology placed #24 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. Students borrow a median of $11,362 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $39,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #25 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,236. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $58,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in family, consumer & human sciences:
Narrow Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools by State
More Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings
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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 · 115 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
