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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

9 Colleges in the United States
$25,735 Avg Student Debt
$64,030 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 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 Middle Atlantic Region

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
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College tops our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $23,693. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #2 place for general human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $34,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

Suny College At Oswego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $25,163. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of The District Of Columbia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human development & family studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,662, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $44,819. That is a strong return on a $43,500 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Oneonta earned it the #5 place for general human development & family studies. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $36,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

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6

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton landed the #6 spot for general human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Dunmore, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, compared with $25,392 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton admits about 98% of applicants.

7

Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

8

Suny At Binghamton earned the #8 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $36,213 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.

9

Pennsylvania State University Brandywine earned the #9 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 98%.

10

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

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11
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #11 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $31,452. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

12

University Of Rochester ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,080. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $21,517. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

13

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

14
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #14 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $22,981. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $36,858 early in their careers. Set against $22,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

15
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University came in at #15 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,810. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Howard University earn a median of $58,495 early in their careers. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 35 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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