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

29 Colleges in the United States
$24,166 Avg Student Debt
$60,025 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Master's Degree Badge [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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong human development & family studies education at a price that pays off.

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

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the human development & family studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among human development & family studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $17,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $49,947. That is a strong return on a $17,296 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Southeastern Oklahoma State University one of the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $18,000. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $32,997 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

3

Texas Womans University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,170 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $43,090. Set against $24,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

4

Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $49,757. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

5

Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $48,734. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

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Eastern Washington University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Students borrow a median of $19,936 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $28,589. That is a strong return on a $19,936 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

7

Washington State University landed the #7 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $24,019. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $39,880. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

8

Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $45,656. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

9

Wichita State University came in at #9 for value in human development & family studies this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $24,262. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $47,598. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

10

Central Washington University placed #10 among the best values for human development & family studies. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $27,006. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

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University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $32,062 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $31,020 early in their careers. Set against $32,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

12
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #12 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

13
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University came in at #13 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $27,500. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $21,243. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

14

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $22,295. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $35,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

15

National Louis University landed the #15 spot for human development & family studies value this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,245. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $28,096. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $47,754 early in their careers. Set against $28,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

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16

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,858 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $45,321. That is a strong return on a $23,858 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

17

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #17 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $49,451. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

18

Kansas State University landed the #18 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,067. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

19

The University Of Tennessee earned the #19 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,790 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $47,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

20

Missouri State University Springfield landed the #20 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $32,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

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21

Amberton University placed #21 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Garland, Amberton University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,060.

22
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #22 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Maine earned the #23 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $30,983. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Colorado Denver placed #24 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $51,914. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

25

Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #25 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,583 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $45,027 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,583 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for human development & family studies this year:

26
27
28
29
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
30
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
31
32
33
34
35
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
36
37
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
38
Amridge University crest
Amridge University
Montgomery, AL
39
Edgewood College crest
Edgewood College
Madison, WI
40
Erikson Institute crest
Erikson Institute
Chicago, IL
41
42
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
43
44
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
45
46
Pacific Oaks College crest
Pacific Oaks College
Pasadena, CA
47
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
48
49
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

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
Associate's Degrees in Human Development & Family Studies
Bachelor'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 29 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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