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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 Southwest Region

24 Colleges in the United States
$16,639 Avg Student Debt
$44,688 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 118 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value human development & family studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Southwest 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

Central New Mexico Community College earned the #1 spot for value among human development & family studies schools in the Southwest Region. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $9,258. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $31,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $19,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

3
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

Students looking for strong value in human development & family studies will find it at San Juan College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $16,150. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $7,476. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Oklahoma City Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Western Texas College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.

8

Tulsa Community College came in at #8 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,287 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $33,103. Set against $15,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Austin Community College District came in at #9 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

El Paso Community College landed the #10 spot for human development & family studies value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City landed the #11 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,564. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $20,230 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earn a median of $32,967 early in their careers. Set against $20,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX

Midland College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.

13
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College placed #13 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $15,720. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Tarrant County College District ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,839. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #16 among the best values for human development & family studies. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,871 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,897 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,871 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

17

Laredo Community College came in at #17 for value in human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $41,354. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Central Texas College landed the #18 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $11,290. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.

19

Redlands Community College placed #19 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,385 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,951. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $14,682. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #20 for value in human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $18,000. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $32,997. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.

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21

Carl Albert State College placed #21 among the best values for human development & family studies. Located in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $8,708. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Carl Albert State College generally make around $23,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Houston Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.

23
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College landed the #23 spot for human development & family studies value this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the human development & family studies program here. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for human development & family studies graduates is $10,941. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Human Development & Family Studies graduates carry a median of $20,938 in student loans. Early-career human development & family studies graduates make about $25,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Human Development & Family Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in human development & family studies:

26
27
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX
28
29
30
31
32
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX
33
34
Cisco College crest
Cisco College
Cisco, TX
35
36
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX
37
38
Rose State College crest
Rose State College
Midwest City, OK
39
40
41
42
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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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 · 118 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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