2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Illinois
[Human Development & Family Studies](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human development & family studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Illinois
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
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for human development & family studies in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College, which ranked #2. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $34,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,272 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earned it the #4 place for human development & family studies. City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large 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 $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $33,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Valley Community College landed the #6 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #7 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Kankakee Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #9 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,272. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. Set against $11,272 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highland Community College Freeport earned the #10 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,783. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College landed the #11 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Harper College earned the #12 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College earned the #13 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #14 position for value in human development & family studies this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $10,250. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earn a median of $48,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #15 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College earned the #16 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County landed the #17 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College landed the #18 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College landed the #19 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public university. 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 $8,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College generally make around $25,842. Set against $8,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $10,328. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
John Wood Community College landed the #21 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the town of Quincy, John Wood Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,844. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from John Wood Community College generally make around $45,748. That is a strong return on a $13,844 median debt.
Kaskaskia College came in at #22 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $45,658. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #23 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
Morton College placed #24 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Cicero, Morton College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,884, compared with $11,028 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $7,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Morton College generally make around $23,252. Set against $7,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College came in at #25 for value in human development & family studies this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,236 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for human development & family studies this year:
More Human Development & Family Studies Rankings
View All Human Development & Family Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
