by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/human-development-and-family-studies-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general human development & family studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general human development & family studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton tops our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Dunmore, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public university. 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%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #2 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. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Brandywine came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public school located in the suburb of Media. In-state tuition and fees average $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona earned it the #4 place for general human development & family studies. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Altoona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general human development & family studies will find it at Temple University, which ranked #5. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $31,452. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for general human development & family studies. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.