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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Pennsylvania

5 Colleges in the United States
$22,091 Avg Student Debt
$53,240 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 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 Pennsylvania

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 Community College Of Allegheny County, our #1 best value for human development & family studies in Pennsylvania. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. 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.

2

Northampton County Area Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

A rank of #3 makes Reading Area Community College one of the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Students borrow a median of $13,979 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Luzerne County Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,600, while out-of-state students pay about $16,260. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $14,614. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $44,353 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,614 median debt.

5

A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for human development & family studies. 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, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $26,817 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,675. That is a strong return on a $26,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

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6

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Worthington Scranton came in at #6 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. Students from in state pay about $15,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 98%.

7

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #7 for value in human development & family studies this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

8
Keystone College crest
Keystone College
La Plume, PA

Keystone College landed the #8 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of La Plume, Keystone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,300. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $28,226 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $33,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

9

Pennsylvania State University Brandywine came in at #9 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Pennsylvania State University Brandywine is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,208, with out-of-state students paying around $25,392. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Brandywine admits about 98% of applicants.

10

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona earned the #10 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Altoona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona admits about 98% of applicants.

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11
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Harcum College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,000. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $21,375. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Harcum College earn a median of $30,963 early in their careers. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University came in at #12 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,400. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $28,584. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $50,474. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

13
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA

Messiah College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,240. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $32,943. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

14
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #14 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $27,000. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Temple University earn a median of $31,452 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

15

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary placed #15 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,500. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $48,472. That is a strong return on a $26,857 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

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16

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 43 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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