[General Family & Consumer Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/general-family-consumer-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 116 schools to find the best return on investment for general family & consumer sciences students.
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Finding the Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences School for You
Where you study general family & consumer sciences affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Shasta College earned the #1 spot for value among general family & consumer sciences schools in the United States. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $33,721. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general family & consumer sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,906 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $32,008. That is a strong return on a $12,906 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Sacramento is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general family & consumer sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,108 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $33,869. That is a strong return on a $14,108 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Lone Star College System landed the #6 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $10,425. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Francisco State University earned the #7 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,212 in student loans. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $35,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,212 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #8 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $29,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Arizona Western College earned the #9 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $27,791 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $26,888. Set against $27,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Southeastern Louisiana University placed #12 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public school located in the city of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,401 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $27,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #13 spot for general family & consumer sciences value this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $41,435. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff placed #14 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Students from in state pay about $9,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,955 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $27,845. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff generally make around $28,206. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University earned the #15 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,605. Students borrow a median of $26,979 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $28,918. Set against $26,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Valley State University earned the #16 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the town of Fort Valley, Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,878. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates carry a median of $44,653 in student loans. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Fort Valley State University earn a median of $28,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Valley State University admits about 66% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #17 position for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $31,250. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Tennessee Technological University placed #18 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,975 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $29,114. That is a strong return on a $20,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #19 for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #20 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $22,635. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #21 for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Located in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,076 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,122. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $28,000. Early-career general family & consumer sciences graduates make about $37,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #22 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $27,500. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $41,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Jacksonville State University placed #23 among the best values for general family & consumer sciences. Located in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Students borrow a median of $28,327 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Jacksonville State University earn a median of $29,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Morgan State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general family & consumer sciences schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general family & consumer sciences program here. General Family & Consumer Sciences graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $31,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Morgan State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Alabama A And M University came in at #25 for value in general family & consumer sciences this year. Set in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general family & consumer sciences graduates is $41,531. Soon after graduation, general family & consumer sciences degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $45,909. Set against $41,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value General Family & Consumer Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general family & consumer sciences:
The ranking above is published 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 · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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).
[General Family & Consumer Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/general-family-consumer-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
