2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in Massachusetts

[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.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Schools in Massachusetts
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
North Shore Community College earned the #1 spot for value among family, consumer & human sciences schools in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $9,622. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $34,978 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Holyoke Community College earned it the #2 place for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. Set against $9,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massasoit Community College earned it the #3 place for family, consumer & human sciences. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,894 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. Set against $10,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in family, consumer & human sciences will find it at Mount Wachusett Community College, which ranked #4. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Students borrow a median of $5,921 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $27,078. That is a strong return on a $5,921 median debt.
Framingham State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value family, consumer & human sciences schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Students borrow a median of $26,207 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $37,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Simmons College earned the #6 position for value in family, consumer & human sciences this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for family, consumer & human sciences graduates is $26,740. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $64,455. Set against $26,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University placed #7 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Family, Consumer & Human Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,170 in student loans. Early-career family, consumer & human sciences graduates make about $44,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Merrimack College placed #8 among the best values for family, consumer & human sciences. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. Students from in state pay about $53,962 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the family, consumer & human sciences program here. Soon after graduation, family, consumer & human sciences degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $33,640. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
More Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings
View All Family, Consumer & Human Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.