2027 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in the The Plains States 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for family, consumer & human sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in family, consumer & human sciences in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family, consumer & human sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $10,277. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $43,218. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $26,593 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Moberly Area Community College one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,507 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $44,755. That is a strong return on a $12,507 median debt.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #6 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $8,837. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $35,742. That is a strong return on a $8,837 median debt.
Cowley County Community College landed the #7 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $6,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.
Washburn Institute Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $11,362. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $39,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #9 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $27,003 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,165 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $29,534. Set against $16,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Central College earned the #11 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. That is a strong return on a $13,139 median debt.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Poplar Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $6,060. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $37,259 early in their careers. Set against $11,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allen County Community College placed #13 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the town of Iola, Allen County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,260, while out-of-state students pay about $4,860. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $10,032. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Allen County Community College generally make around $25,323. Set against $10,032 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College landed the #14 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. 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.
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #15 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $15,881. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #16 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $22,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota earned the #17 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $27,081. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $69,785. Set against $27,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College placed #18 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Set against $17,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #19 on our 2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Students borrow a median of $14,348 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $39,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pine Technical College landed the #20 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $22,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $14,054. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $58,733 early in their careers. Set against $14,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #22 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,164 early in their careers. Set against $29,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Missouri College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $16,685. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $26,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $25,808. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $42,211. That is a strong return on a $25,808 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $24,500. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $36,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for family, consumer & human sciences this year:
Narrow Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools by State
More Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings
View All Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
