2026 Best Human Development Family Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Human Development Family Studies doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1057 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Human Development Family Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is Tufts University, our #1 Human Development Family Studies school in the United States. Located in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Tufts University Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $16,170 in debt. See the full Tufts University profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Delaware, which ranked #2 this year. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. More on University Of Delaware
Out of the 1057 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Montclair State University landed the #3 spot. Located in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $25,250. Read more about Montclair State University
Clemson University came in at #4 on this year's Human Development Family Studies ranking in the United States. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $23,783. Read the full report on Clemson University
Out of the 1057 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #5 spot. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $21,500. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
Iowa State University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. Get the full Iowa State University report
Michigan State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $21,500. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Washington State University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $24,019. More on Washington State University
University Of Georgia came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $23,466. Read more about University Of Georgia
Texas Tech University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $23,250. More on Texas Tech University
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #12 position. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Purdue University Main Campus Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $15,304 in debt. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Syracuse University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Syracuse University Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $22,981 in debt. Get the full Syracuse University report
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $23,250. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
The University Of Tennessee placed #15 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Set in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,790 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Oregon State University placed #16 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Set in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about Oregon State University
University Of Kentucky came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. University Of Kentucky posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $24,094. More on University Of Kentucky
Auburn University placed #18 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Auburn University posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. More on Auburn University
University Of Connecticut landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. University Of Connecticut is a public school based in Storrs, CT. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $23,059. Read more about University Of Connecticut
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #20 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Set in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $26,000. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Greensboro report
Texas Womans University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. This public school is set in Denton, TX. Texas Womans University graduates 49% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Texas Womans University Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $24,170 in debt. Read the full report on Texas Womans University
Capella University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. Capella University graduates 20% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $35,998. Read more about Capella University
Mississippi State University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Located in Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi State University is a public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $27,500. See the full Mississippi State University profile
Utah State University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Logan, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,573 in student loans. See the full Utah State University profile
Midlands Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. More on Midlands Technical College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Human Development Family Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Kentucky State University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Get the full Kentucky State University report
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton
West Hills College Coalinga placed #28 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. See the full West Hills College Coalinga profile
Central Community College placed #29 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Central Community College
Houston Baptist University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. More on Houston Baptist University
Indian Hills Community College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about Indian Hills Community College
Los Angeles Southwest College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Los Angeles Southwest College
Santiago Canyon College placed #33 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Santiago Canyon College report
Southeast Arkansas College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. See the full Southeast Arkansas College profile
Tarleton State University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Tarleton State University
Georgia Southern University placed #36 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Georgia Southern University
Louisiana Tech University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. More on Louisiana Tech University
Lake Michigan College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full Lake Michigan College report
South Georgia Technical College placed #39 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on South Georgia Technical College
Washington State Community College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full Washington State Community College report
West Virginia University placed #41 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Read more about West Virginia University
Amarillo College
Amarillo College placed #42 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. More on Amarillo College
Hutchinson Community College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. More on Hutchinson Community College
Las Positas College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Get the full Las Positas College report
Moreno Valley College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Moreno Valley College
Nicholls State University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Get the full Nicholls State University report
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Colorado State University Fort Collins
Los Angeles Pierce College placed #48 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Los Angeles Pierce College
Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Read more about Oklahoma Baptist University
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. See the full Texas A And M University San Antonio profile
Related Human Development Family Studies Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Human Development Family Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Human Development Family Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Human Development Family Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Human Development Family Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Human Development Family Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Human Development Family Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Human Development Family Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1057 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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