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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Human Development & Family Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

53 Colleges in the United States
10,196 Human Development & Family Studies Degrees Awarded
$37,463 Avg Early-Career Salary

Human Development & Family Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 326 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 the Southeast Region

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 University Of Virginia Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 43 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $34,533 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 180 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $33,654 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full human development & family studies details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

3
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Students looking for a strong human development & family studies program will find one at Florida State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 203 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $29,690 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Florida State University

4

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in human development & family studies, ranking #4. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 16 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $45,140. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,300 in student loans. See the full human development & family studies program report for George Mason University

5
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for human development & family studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. About 105 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from University Of Florida earn around $42,853 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,296. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from University Of Florida

6
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #6 among the best human development & family studies schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 62 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Vanderbilt University

7
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #7 for human development & family studies this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for University Of Miami

8

University Of Georgia landed the #8 spot for human development & family studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. About 167 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $31,392 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,466 to complete this degree. Read more about the human development & family studies program at University Of Georgia

9

Tennessee Technological University placed #9 among the best human development & family studies schools. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 25 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Tennessee Technological University earn around $46,981 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,580. Get the full human development & family studies details for Tennessee Technological University

10
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University landed the #10 spot for human development & family studies this year. Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Birmingham. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Samford University awarded about 34 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Samford University earn a median of $64,132 early in their careers. Samford University graduates carry a median of $21,039 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Samford University

11
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University came in at #11 for human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Clemson University awarded about 23 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $48,168 early in their careers. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Clemson University

12

Miami Dade College placed #12 among the best human development & family studies schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Miami Dade College awarded about 67 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Miami Dade College earn around $40,267 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,967 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Miami Dade College

13

Southern Crescent Technical College placed #13 among the best human development & family studies schools. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Southern Crescent Technical College awarded about 189 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $34,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,625 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Southern Crescent Technical College

14

The University Of Alabama earned the #14 position for human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. The University Of Alabama awarded about 135 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $30,264 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full human development & family studies program report for The University Of Alabama

15

Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Florida State College At Jacksonville awarded about 43 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $31,295 early in their careers. Florida State College At Jacksonville graduates carry a median of $13,272 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Florida State College At Jacksonville

16
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University earned the #16 position for human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Western Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,499. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Western Kentucky University

17

Palm Beach State College came in at #17 for human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. About 41 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Palm Beach State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Palm Beach State College earn around $28,328 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,984. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Palm Beach State College

18

Anderson University Sc earned the #18 position for human development & family studies this year. Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Anderson University Sc in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $49,036 in their early career. Anderson University Sc graduates carry a median of $28,034 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for Anderson University Sc

19
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Auburn University awarded about 119 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Auburn University earn around $30,502 in the first couple years of their career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Auburn University

20

Northern Virginia Community College landed the #20 spot for human development & family studies this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. About 200 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $25,890 early in their careers. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $16,342 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for Northern Virginia Community College

21

The University Of Tennessee earned the #21 position for human development & family studies this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 107 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $39,911 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,790 in student loans. Read more about the human development & family studies program at The University Of Tennessee

22
Broward College crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Broward College placed #22 among the best human development & family studies schools. Broward College is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Broward College awarded about 137 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Broward College generally make around $51,328. Broward College graduates carry a median of $13,110 in student loans. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Broward College

23
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University placed #23 among the best human development & family studies schools. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Nova Southeastern University awarded about 66 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $46,052. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Nova Southeastern University

24

West Virginia University landed the #24 spot for human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 29 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $32,306 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,242 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from West Virginia University

25

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #25 spot for human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 137 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $36,965 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Rest of the Top 50 Human Development & Family Studies Schools

These schools also placed among the best for human development & family studies this year:

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27
28
Edison State College crest
Edison State College
Fort Myers, FL
29
Gwinnett Technical College crest
Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, GA
30
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
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32
33
34
35
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
36
Berea College crest
Berea College
Berea, KY
37
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
38
39
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY
40
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43
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45
46
47
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50
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for 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. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 326 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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