by our College Data Analytics Team
[Family, Consumer & Human Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong family, consumer & human sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 150 schools to find the best return on investment for family, consumer & human sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in family, consumer & human sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Skyline College tops our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools in California. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for family, consumer & human sciences. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in family, consumer & human sciences will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Fresno City College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $8,000. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $30,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $8,098. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias placed #8 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $18,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Canada College placed #9 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Reedley College earned the #10 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $6,500. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego City College placed #11 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $9,514. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #12 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Irvine Valley College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Ventura College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #15 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $14,308. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College earned the #16 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $12,643. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #17 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College came in at #18 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Norco College earned the #19 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #20 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #23 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College landed the #24 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $6,630 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $23,863. That is a strong return on a $6,630 median debt.
Santa Monica College came in at #25 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in family, consumer & human sciences:
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 150 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.