[Family & Community Services](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/family-and-community-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 89 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value family & community services schools.
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The family & community services program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Family & Community Services 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.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Family & Community Services Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family & community services, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in family & community services, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,296 to complete the family & community services program here. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $42,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value family & community services schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $30,519. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value family & community services schools. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,520. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Set against $9,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Palomar College earned it the #4 place for family & community services. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Butte College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value family & community services schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Long Beach City College earned the #6 position for value in family & community services this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sinclair Community College landed the #7 spot for family & community services value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #8 for value in family & community services this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $21,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #9 position for value in family & community services this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University earned the #10 position for value in family & community services this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the family & community services program here. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Utah Valley University earned the #11 position for value in family & community services this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $20,971. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.
Rogue Community College earned the #12 position for value in family & community services this year. Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Grants Pass. In-state tuition and fees average $5,256, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $15,248. Family & Community Services graduates of Rogue Community College earn a median of $51,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #13 for value in family & community services this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $36,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #14 spot for family & community services value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $15,500. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $35,467. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Connors State College landed the #15 spot for family & community services value this year. Located in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $16,071 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Connors State College generally make around $47,964. Set against $16,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University placed #16 among the best values for family & community services. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the family & community services program here. Family & Community Services graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $49,757 early in their careers. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value family & community services schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University earned the #18 position for value in family & community services this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $24,019. Family & Community Services graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $39,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #19 among the best values for family & community services. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $19,533 in student loans. Family & Community Services graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $41,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,533 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #20 position for value in family & community services this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $34,149. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #21 among the best values for family & community services. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the family & community services program here. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $32,614. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of St Francis earned the #22 position for value in family & community services this year. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,110. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete the family & community services program here. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $70,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #23 spot for family & community services value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Family & Community Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $29,607. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Southern University At New Orleans came in at #24 for value in family & community services this year. Southern University At New Orleans is a mid-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $8,054, compared with $16,954 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family & community services graduates is $56,000. Early-career family & community services graduates make about $33,687. Set against $56,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Baker College Of Flint came in at #25 for value in family & community services this year. Located in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,250 to complete the family & community services program here. Soon after graduation, family & community services degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $29,526. Set against $33,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baker College Of Flint admits about 82% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s family & community services value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Family & Community Services. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
