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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Human Development & Family Studies Master’s Degree Schools

29 Colleges in the United States
1,457 Human Development & Family Studies Degrees Awarded
$45,623 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.

College Factual analyzed 1057 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best human development & family studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Human Development & Family Studies in the United States

See the highest-ranked human development & family studies schools offering a master’s degree below.

Top Schools in Human Development & Family Studies

1

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 51 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for Vanderbilt University

3

Texas Tech University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 62 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for Texas Tech University

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 24 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $49,947 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,296 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from University Of Florida

5

University Of Rochester is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in human development & family studies, ranking #5. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Rochester awarded about 11 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $60,865 in their early career. University Of Rochester graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. See the full human development & family studies program report for University Of Rochester

6
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #6 for human development & family studies this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Tufts University earn around $45,105 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,170 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Tufts University

7
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #7 for human development & family studies this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. About 70% of students finish within six years. Towson University awarded about 38 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Towson University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for Towson University

8

University Of Oregon earned the #8 position for human development & family studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Eugene. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $44,628. Typical student debt for the program is $22,034. Get the full human development & family studies details for University Of Oregon

9

Arizona State University earned the #9 position for human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 25 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Arizona State University earn around $49,757 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete this degree. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Arizona State University

10

University Of La Verne ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of La Verne in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for University Of La Verne

11

Washington State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $39,880. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Washington State University

12
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #12 among the best human development & family studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $48,168 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Clemson University

13
Edgewood College crest
Edgewood College
Madison, WI

Edgewood College came in at #13 for human development & family studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Madison. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Edgewood College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $56,578 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750. See the full human development & family studies program report for Edgewood College

14
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University placed #14 among the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bellevue University awarded about 24 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Bellevue University earn around $61,548 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,852. Get the full human development & family studies details for Bellevue University

15

University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #15 among the best human development & family studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. About 67% of students finish within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 24 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $49,451 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,386. See the full human development & family studies program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

16

The University Of Alabama earned the #16 position for human development & family studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $30,264. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from The University Of Alabama

17

University Of Rhode Island landed the #17 spot for human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $47,919. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for University Of Rhode Island

18
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #18 position for human development & family studies this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. Auburn University awarded about 27 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $30,502 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Auburn University

19

University Of Colorado Denver placed #19 among the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 34 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Denver in the most recent year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $51,914 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from University Of Colorado Denver

20
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University earned the #20 position for human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 14 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Loma Linda University in the most recent year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Loma Linda University earn around $43,043 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,094. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Loma Linda University

21

Kansas State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 53 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,067 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full human development & family studies details for Kansas State University

22
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University landed the #22 spot for human development & family studies this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Tarleton State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for Tarleton State University

23

Fielding Graduate University earned the #23 position for human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Fielding Graduate University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Fielding Graduate 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 Fielding Graduate University generally make around $70,531. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Fielding Graduate University

24

Amberton University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Set in the suburb of Garland, Amberton University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Amberton University awarded about 15 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full human development & family studies details for Amberton University

25

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 47 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $47,426 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for University Of Missouri Columbia

Rest of the Top 49 Human Development & Family Studies Schools

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

26
27
28
29
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
30
31
32
33
Pacific Oaks College crest
Pacific Oaks College
Pasadena, CA
34
35
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
36
37
38
39
40
41
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
42
43
Erikson Institute crest
Erikson Institute
Chicago, IL
44
45
46
47
48
Amridge University crest
Amridge University
Montgomery, AL
49

Other Human Development & Family Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best human development & family studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Human Development & Family Studies
Associate's Degrees in Human Development & Family Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Human Development & Family Studies
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View All Human Development & Family Studies Rankings >

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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 · 1057 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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