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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Master’s Degree Schools

14 Colleges in the United States
$24,719 Avg Student Debt
$60,206 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Master's Degree Badge [General Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/human-development-and-family-studies-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general human development & family studies education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 208 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general human development & family studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general human development & family studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools

1

For return on investment in general human development & family studies, no school beat Texas Womans University this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $24,170. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $43,090. That is a strong return on a $24,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

2

Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human development & family studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Illinois University earned it the #3 place for general human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $48,734. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in general human development & family studies will find it at Washington State University, which ranked #4. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $24,019. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $39,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Texas State University San Marcos one of the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $22,295 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $35,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

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6

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #6 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $22,386. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,451. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,858 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $45,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

8
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $21,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

9

Kansas State University placed #9 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $51,067. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

10

The University Of Tennessee earned the #10 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $22,790. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $47,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

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Missouri State University Springfield earned the #11 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $32,769. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

12

Amberton University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Garland, Amberton University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,060.

13
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University earned the #13 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Maine placed #14 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $30,983. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

15

University Of Colorado Denver earned the #15 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $51,914. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.

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16

Concordia University Saint Paul placed #16 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $30,583. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $45,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

17

Texas Tech University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $23,250. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $39,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

18

University Of Rhode Island earned the #18 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $47,919. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #19 for value in general human development & family studies this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $47,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

20
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #20 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $23,222. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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21
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $26,422. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $38,249. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

22

Hardin Simmons University earned the #22 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Students from in state pay about $32,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,674 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Hardin Simmons University generally make around $50,478. Set against $26,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

23

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota landed the #23 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Students borrow a median of $27,081 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $69,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

24

The University Of Alabama placed #24 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $30,264. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

25
Amridge University crest
Amridge University
Montgomery, AL

Amridge University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Amridge University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Montgomery. In-state tuition and fees average $10,470. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Amridge University earn a median of $46,125 early in their careers.

Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general human development & family studies this year:

26
27
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
28
29
Pacific Oaks College crest
Pacific Oaks College
Pasadena, CA
30
31
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

Other General Human Development & Family Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best-value general human development & family studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Human Development & Family Studies
Associate's Degrees in General Human Development & Family Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in General Human Development & Family Studies
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View All General Human Development & Family Studies Rankings >

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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 · 208 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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