2026 Best Value General Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among general human development & family studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $26,569 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $41,717. Set against $26,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

2

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #2 place for general human development & family studies. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $36,267. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $22,386. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

4

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. 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. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $32,769. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

5

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #5 place 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. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $42,654. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.

6

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #6 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $30,583 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $42,810 early in their careers. Set against $30,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.

7

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #7 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the general human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, general human development & family studies degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,364. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

8

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University came in at #8 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $24,500. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $37,123. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #9 position for value in general human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $26,000. General Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $40,221 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

10

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Winona, MN

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota came in at #10 for value in general human development & family studies this year. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,080. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $27,081. 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. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota admits about 93% of applicants.

11

Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general human development & family studies graduates is $24,499. Early-career general human development & family studies graduates make about $67,909. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.