2027 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in Iowa
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for family, consumer & human sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in Iowa
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 Western Iowa Tech Community College, our #1 best value for family, consumer & human sciences in Iowa. 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, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $8,837. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,837 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in family, consumer & human sciences will find it at Hawkeye Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Southwestern Community College Creston one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in family, consumer & human sciences will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $22,623. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar one of the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #6 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,599 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $33,128. Set against $22,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Iowa State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,951 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $37,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Waldorf College earned the #10 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Students borrow a median of $24,622 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $63,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,622 median debt. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
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. 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
