2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Virginia
[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 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for human development & family studies students.
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2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Virginia
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
Our analysis ranked J Sargeant Reynolds Community College the best value for a degree in human development & family studies in Virginia. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Patrick Henry Community College earned it the #2 place for human development & family studies. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,235. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $16,790. 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 Eastern Shore Community College, which ranked #3. Eastern Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melfa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at Central Virginia Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,157, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,384 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $32,309. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Students borrow a median of $10,698 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,698 median debt.
John Tyler Community College landed the #6 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #7 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $21,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul D Camp Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school located in the town of Franklin. In-state tuition and fees average $5,012, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Students borrow a median of $11,074 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $40,070. That is a strong return on a $11,074 median debt.
New River Community College came in at #9 for value in human development & family studies this year. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,417. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $13,132 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $46,892. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.
Germanna Community College earned the #10 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #11 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $36,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College came in at #12 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Students borrow a median of $9,494 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $44,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College placed #13 among the best values for human development & family studies. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $13,638. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $22,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #14 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $16,342 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $25,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mountain Empire Community College placed #15 among the best values for human development & family studies. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $36,988. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $11,768 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $40,020. That is a strong return on a $11,768 median debt.
George Mason University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $24,300 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $45,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,300 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #18 position for value in human development & family studies this year. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $5,500. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $19,582 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #19 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $34,533. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #20 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $21,500. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $33,654. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Virginia University placed #21 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the town of Buena Vista, Southern Virginia University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,030. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $22,024. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #22 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $31,083. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
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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 · 27 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.
