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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in Illinois

7 Colleges in the United States
2,165 Human Development & Family Studies Degrees Awarded
$43,211 Avg Early-Career Salary

Human Development & Family Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools to find the best for human development & family studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Human Development & Family Studies in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the human development & family studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Human Development & Family Studies

1

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in human development & family studies. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 20 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $78,551 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Northwestern University

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish 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. Students borrow a median of $19,600 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 68 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Harper College

4

College Of Lake County came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Grayslake. College Of Lake County awarded about 152 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. 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

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 30 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data 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. Read more about the human development & family studies program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

6

University Of St Francis landed the #6 spot for human development & family studies this year. 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. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $70,918. Typical student debt for the program is $25,695. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from University Of St Francis

7

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #7 for human development & family studies this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. About 61% of students finish within six years. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 12 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Olivet Nazarene University

8

Illinois State University earned the #8 position for human development & family studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125. See the full human development & family studies program report for Illinois State University

9

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. There were roughly 57 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn around $30,292 in the first couple years of their 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

10

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #10 spot for human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $34,294 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College

11
Oakton Community College crest
Oakton Community College
Des Plaines, IL

Oakton Community College came in at #11 for human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 50 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Oakton Community College in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Oakton Community College

12
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #12 spot for human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. College Of Dupage awarded about 41 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from College Of Dupage earn around $43,025 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,492. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from College Of Dupage

13

City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College earned the #13 position for human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College is a large public university. City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College awarded about 128 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $37,381 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,458. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from City Colleges Of Chicago Harry S Truman College

14

Lewis And Clark Community College placed #14 among the best human development & family studies schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Godfrey. Lewis And Clark Community College awarded about 79 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,602. See the full human development & family studies program report for Lewis And Clark Community College

15

Joliet Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. There were roughly 88 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $40,118 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Joliet Junior College

16

National Louis University landed the #16 spot for human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 30% of students finish within six years. National Louis University awarded about 77 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from National Louis University earn around $47,354 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,096 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for National Louis University

17

Waubonsee Community College earned the #17 position for human development & family studies this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. About 38 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $39,659 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,939. Get the full human development & family studies details for Waubonsee Community College

18

Illinois Valley Community College earned the #18 position for human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. About 71 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Illinois Valley Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Illinois Valley Community College earn around $33,224 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for Illinois Valley Community College

19

Moraine Valley Community College placed #19 among the best human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 90 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Moraine Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for Moraine Valley Community College

20

Heartland Community College came in at #20 for human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 46 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Heartland Community College in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Heartland Community College

21

Northern Illinois University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $38,538 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full human development & family studies details for Northern Illinois University

22
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College placed #22 among the best human development & family studies schools. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. Rock Valley College awarded about 36 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Rock Valley College earn around $41,080 in the first couple years of their career. Rock Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Rock Valley College

23

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College landed the #23 spot for human development & family studies this year. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public school located in the town of Olney. There were roughly 10 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College graduates carry a median of $9,434 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College

24

Southwestern Illinois College placed #24 among the best human development & family studies schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Belleville. There were roughly 175 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,388. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Southwestern Illinois College

25
Erikson Institute crest
Erikson Institute
Chicago, IL

Erikson Institute ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Erikson Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 34 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Erikson Institute in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $52,727 in their early career. Get the full human development & family studies details for Erikson Institute

Rest of the Top 40 Human Development & Family Studies Schools

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

26
27
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL
28
29
30
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Morton College crest
Morton College
Cicero, IL
38
John A Logan College crest
John A Logan College
Carterville, IL
39
40

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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