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

56 Colleges in the United States
$13,242 Avg Student Debt
$40,144 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Associate's Degree Badge [Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1057 schools to find the best return on investment for human development & family studies students.

What’s on this page:

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

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human development & family studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools

1
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #1 spot for value among human development & family studies schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Fresno City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $30,519. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.

3
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

4
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.

5

Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,258 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $31,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #6 for value in human development & family studies this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $13,272 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $31,295. That is a strong return on a $13,272 median debt.

7
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College came in at #7 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

8
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #8 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

9
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #10 for value in human development & family studies this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $7,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $34,294. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,272 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $6,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

San Diego Mesa College placed #13 among the best values for human development & family studies. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

14
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College placed #14 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.

15
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College earned the #15 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $6,630 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $23,863. That is a strong return on a $6,630 median debt.

17
Canada College crest
Canada College
Redwood City, CA

Canada College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.

18
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College earned the #18 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earned the #19 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,458. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earn a median of $37,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,458 median debt.

20

Pasadena City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

College Of The Sequoias ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $18,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.

22
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,643. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

San Diego Miramar College earned the #23 position for value in human development & family studies this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College came in at #24 for value in human development & family studies this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.

25
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s human development & family studies value ranking:

26
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA
27
28
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA
29
30
31
32
33
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
34
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
35
36
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
37
38
39
40
41
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
42
43
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA
44
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
45
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA
46
47
48
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX
49
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA
50

Other Human Development & Family Studies Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Human Development & Family Studies rankings across degree levels:

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

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 1057 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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