2026 Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 20 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Northwestern University

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for human development & family studies. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 126 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $34,149 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. See the full human development & family studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 77 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $29,762 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,600. See the full human development & family studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 131 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $34,610 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full human development & family studies program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 78 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $35,436 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,304 to complete this degree. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Purdue University Main Campus

6

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #6 for human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. There were roughly 68 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $44,523 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Harper College

7

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. College Of Lake County awarded about 152 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from College Of Lake County earn around $50,314 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from College Of Lake County

8

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 30 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $46,199 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from University Of Illinois At Chicago

9

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis placed #9 among the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of St Francis awarded about 15 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $70,918 in their early career. University Of St Francis graduates carry a median of $25,695 in student loans. Read more about the human development & family studies program at University Of St Francis

10

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University landed the #10 spot for human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 12 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $48,505 early in their careers. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans. See the full human development & family studies program report for Olivet Nazarene University

11

Edgewood College
Madison, WI

Edgewood College placed #11 among the best human development & family studies schools. Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. About 60% of students finish within six years. Edgewood College awarded about 20 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Edgewood College earn a median of $56,578 early in their careers. Edgewood College graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Edgewood College

12

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #12 among the best human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 31 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $33,682 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for Illinois State University

13

Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI

Madison Area Technical College earned the #13 position for human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 31 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete this degree. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Madison Area Technical College

14

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 13 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Dearborn in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from University Of Michigan Dearborn

15

Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire, WI

Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #15 spot for human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Chippewa Valley Technical College awarded about 20 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Chippewa Valley Technical College

16

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
Rice Lake, WI

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Rice Lake. There were roughly 38 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $20,863 early in their careers. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College graduates carry a median of $12,457 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

17

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College placed #17 among the best human development & family studies schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. About 57 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $30,292 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,272 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College

18

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #18 for human development & family studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 94 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $31,434. Typical student debt for the program is $29,750. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Michigan State University

19

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 45 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $30,748 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,343. See the full human development & family studies program report for Ohio University Main Campus

20

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #20 among the best human development & family studies schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 107 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $34,294. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College

21

Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College placed #21 among the best human development & family studies schools. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. About 50 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Oakton Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $48,838 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Oakton Community College

22

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. About 41 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Typical student debt for the program is $12,492. Read more about the human development & family studies program at College Of Dupage

23

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College placed #23 among the best human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 26 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Northcentral Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Northcentral Technical College earn around $41,696 in the first couple years of their career. Northcentral Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. See the full human development & family studies program report for Northcentral Technical College

24

Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University Of Steubenville placed #24 among the best human development & family studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Steubenville. Franciscan University Of Steubenville graduates 75% of students within six years. About 16 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Franciscan University Of Steubenville in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $43,020. Students borrow a median of $25,029 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Franciscan University Of Steubenville

25

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University placed #25 among the best human development & family studies schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $32,836. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Ball State University