2026 Best Value Family & Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General Schools in the Far Western Region
[Family & Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/general-family-consumer-sciences/family-and-consumer-sciences-human-sciences-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general students.
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2026 Best Value Family & Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Family & Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General Schools
Leading the list is Shasta College, our #1 best value for family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general program here. Soon after graduation, family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general program here. Early-career family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general graduates make about $33,721. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Family & Consumer Sciences/human Sciences, General graduates carry a median of $12,906 in student loans. Family & Consumer Sciences/human Sciences, General graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,008 early in their careers. Set against $12,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $14,108 to complete the family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general program here. Family & Consumer Sciences/human Sciences, General graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $33,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Francisco State University earned it the #5 place for family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,212 to complete the family & consumer sciences/human sciences, general program here. Family & Consumer Sciences/human Sciences, General graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $35,977 early in their careers. Set against $17,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
