2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Family, Consumer & Human Sciences](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 149 schools to find the best return on investment for family, consumer & human sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the family, consumer & human sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for family, consumer & human sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $39,756. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family, consumer & human sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in family, consumer & human sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $11,492. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $64,192 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Frederick Community College earned it the #4 place for family, consumer & human sciences. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $10,778. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Set against $10,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Carroll Community College placed #6 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $17,398. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $49,058. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #7 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Students borrow a median of $8,216 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $28,815. That is a strong return on a $8,216 median debt.
Erie Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $12,580. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $25,239 early in their careers. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College landed the #9 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Onondaga Community College landed the #10 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $12,623. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $28,579. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Baltimore City Community College came in at #12 for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $3,314 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,394 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,202 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $51,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #13 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,651 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $28,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College landed the #14 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Reading Area Community College placed #15 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, while out-of-state students pay about $12,510. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $13,979. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Empire State College earned the #16 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College placed #17 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Montclair State University placed #18 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,333 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $34,109. That is a strong return on a $25,333 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Luzerne County Community College earned the #19 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $44,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,533 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $41,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Delaware ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $23,953. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $47,288. Set against $23,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #22 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $39,412. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Towson University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $50,370. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton landed the #24 spot for family, consumer & human sciences value this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,742, compared with $15,769 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,640 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Canton earn a median of $46,515 early in their careers. Set against $23,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore placed #25 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,076, compared with $20,122 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $28,000. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $37,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for family, consumer & human sciences this year:
Narrow Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools by State
More Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings
View All Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 149 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
