by our College Data Analytics Team
[Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 136 schools to find the best return on investment for human development & family studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in human development & family studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in human development & family studies, no school beat Skyline College this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #4 place for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #5. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Fresno City College came in at #6 for value in human development & family studies this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, 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.
San Diego Miramar College placed #7 among the best values for human development & family studies. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $18,158 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College placed #9 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Canada College earned the #10 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College landed the #11 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #12 for value in human development & family studies this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Irvine Valley College placed #13 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
West Valley College landed the #14 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Ventura College ranked #15 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Moreno Valley College came in at #16 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #17 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College came in at #18 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Norco College landed the #19 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Santiago Canyon College placed #21 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #22 among the best values for human development & family studies. 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. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #23 among the best values for human development & family studies. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College earned the #24 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 136 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.