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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 The Plains States Region

15 Colleges in the United States
1,672 Human Development & Family Studies Degrees Awarded
$40,644 Avg Early-Career Salary

Human Development & Family Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 104 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 The Plains States 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 Maryville University Of Saint Louis the best school in the country for a degree in human development & family studies. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $67,909 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,499. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Maryville University Of Saint Louis

2

Iowa State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in human development & family studies, ranking #2. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Iowa State University awarded about 71 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,364 early in their careers. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for Iowa State University

3

University Of Missouri Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 94 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $40,221 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for University Of Missouri Columbia

4
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bellevue. Bellevue University graduates 33% of students within six years. Bellevue University awarded about 24 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $61,548. Bellevue University graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. See the full human development & family studies program report for Bellevue University

5

Southeast Technical Institute is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in human development & family studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. About 16 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Southeast Technical Institute in the most recent year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Southeast Technical Institute earn a median of $48,654 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for Southeast Technical Institute

6

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #6 for human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 24 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,451. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. See the full human development & family studies program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

7
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College earned the #7 position for human development & family studies this year. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. About 126 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Central Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Central Community College earn around $43,218 in the first couple years of their career. Central Community College graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for Central Community College

8

Saint Louis Community College earned the #8 position for human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Saint Louis Community College awarded about 24 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $26,593 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for Saint Louis Community College

9

South Dakota State University came in at #9 for human development & family studies this year. This large public university is located in the town of Brookings. South Dakota State University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 65 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at South Dakota State University in the most recent year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $37,123 early in their careers. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. See the full human development & family studies program report for South Dakota State University

10

Kansas State University earned the #10 position for human development & family studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 118 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $42,654 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for Kansas State University

11

North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for human development & family studies this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates 64% of students within six years. About 114 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,717 early in their careers. North Dakota State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,569 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for North Dakota State University Main Campus

12

Des Moines Area Community College placed #12 among the best human development & family studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ankeny. About 66 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $22,623 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,500. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Des Moines Area Community College

13

Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #13 position for human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 42 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $8,837 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Western Iowa Tech Community College

14

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Southeast Missouri State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $43,255 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,289. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Southeast Missouri State University

15

Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Located in the town of Winona, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota graduates 66% of students within six years. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota awarded about 12 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Saint Marys University Of Minnesota generally make around $69,785. Typical student debt for the program is $27,081. Get the full human development & family studies details for Saint Marys University Of Minnesota

16

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #16 spot for human development & family studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 20 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the human development & family studies program make about $32,614 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from University Of Northern Iowa

17

Salina Area Technical College placed #17 among the best human development & family studies schools. This small public university is located in the town of Salina. About 10 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Salina Area Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Salina Area Technical College earn around $38,440 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Salina Area Technical College

18

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #18 for human development & family studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. About 89 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $32,769. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Missouri State University Springfield

19

Mayville State University earned the #19 position for human development & family studies this year. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. Mayville State University awarded about 12 human development & family studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from Mayville State University earn around $49,971 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,464. Read more about the human development & family studies program at Mayville State University

20

Washburn Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best human development & family studies schools. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. There were roughly 19 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Washburn Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $39,749. Washburn Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $11,362 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Washburn Institute Of Technology

21
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN

South Central College landed the #21 spot for human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 30 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at South Central College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their human development & family studies degree from South Central College earn around $46,447 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,139 to complete this degree. See the full human development & family studies program report for South Central College

22

Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #22 spot for human development & family studies this year. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 22 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $39,833. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar graduates carry a median of $14,348 in student loans. Get the full human development & family studies details for Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar

23

Iowa Western Community College landed the #23 spot for human development & family studies this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 36 human development & family studies degrees were awarded at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, human development & family studies degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from Iowa Western Community College

24

State Fair Community College earned the #24 position for human development & family studies this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Sedalia. There were roughly 27 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at State Fair Community College in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $39,168 early in their careers. State Fair Community College graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. More information about a degree in human development & family studies from State Fair Community College

25

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #25 position for human development & family studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. There were roughly 29 human development & family studies students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City in the most recent data year. Human Development & Family Studies graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $46,660 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete this degree. Get the full human development & family studies details for Metropolitan Community College Kansas City

Rest of the Top 42 Human Development & Family Studies Schools

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

26
27
28
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Mineral Area College crest
Mineral Area College
Park Hills, MO
42

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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 · 104 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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