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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

21 Colleges in the United States
$20,634 Avg Student Debt
$54,801 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 121 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 Middle Atlantic Region

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

Leading the list is Suffolk County Community College, our #1 best value for human development & family studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Frederick Community College earned it the #2 place for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Carroll Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, while out-of-state students pay about $10,158. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $17,398. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $49,058. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.

4

Hudson Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $8,216 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $28,815 early in their careers. Set against $8,216 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes Erie Community College one of the best values for human development & family studies. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,580. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $25,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College came in at #6 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Monroe Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Onondaga Community College placed #8 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $12,623. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $28,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Baltimore City Community College landed the #9 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. Students borrow a median of $11,202 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Baltimore City Community College generally make around $51,023. That is a strong return on a $11,202 median debt.

10

Community College Of Allegheny County placed #10 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $9,651. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $28,078 early in their careers. Set against $9,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Suny Westchester Community College landed the #11 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Reading Area Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,979. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College placed #13 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Northampton County Area Community College landed the #14 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.

15

Luzerne County Community College placed #15 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,614 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $44,353 early in their careers. Set against $14,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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University Of Maryland College Park ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $19,533. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $41,157. That is a strong return on a $19,533 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

17

Montclair State University landed the #17 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $34,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

18
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University placed #18 among the best values for human development & family studies. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $20,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $50,370. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

19

University Of The District Of Columbia came in at #19 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $43,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $44,819. Set against $43,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Suny College Of Technology At Canton came in at #20 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,742, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,640 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Canton earn a median of $46,515 early in their careers. Set against $23,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Canton admits about 92% of applicants.

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21

Suny College At Oswego ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

22

Suny College At Oneonta ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $36,143 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.

23

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,817 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $30,675. Set against $26,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton earned the #24 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dunmore, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,208, while out-of-state students pay about $25,392. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton admits about 98% of applicants.

25

Bowie State University came in at #25 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of $34,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools

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

26
27
28
29
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
30
Keystone College crest
Keystone College
La Plume, PA
31
32
33
34
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, PA
35
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA
36
Stevenson University crest
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD
37
Saint Bonaventure University crest
Saint Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure, NY
38
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA
39
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
40
41
42
43
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
44
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC

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Notes and References

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 · 121 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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