2026 Best Human Development Family Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Human Development Family Studies master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Pacific Oaks College this year in the United States. Located in Pasadena, CA, Pacific Oaks College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,520 in tuition and fees. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $27,715. Get the full Pacific Oaks College report
The strong Human Development Family Studies programs at Tufts University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school based in Medford, MA. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $16,170. Read more about Tufts University
You'll be in good company at University Of Delaware, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $24,861. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Out of the 1057 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Erikson Institute landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Get the full Erikson Institute report
Out of the 1057 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of La Verne landed the #5 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in La Verne, CA. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,470. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $26,000. Get the full University Of La Verne report
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #6 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Based in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,569 in student loans. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
Loma Linda University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $29,960. Students borrow a median of $25,094 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. Read more about Loma Linda University
Texas Tech University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. Texas Tech University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Texas Tech University Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Get the full Texas Tech University report
Clemson University placed #9 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. See the full Clemson University profile
Michigan State University placed #10 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $29,750. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Concordia University Ann Arbor came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a private not-for-profit institution. Concordia University Ann Arbor graduates 49% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $35,410 in tuition and fees. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $27,584. More on Concordia University Ann Arbor
Montclair State University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Located in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. Montclair State University graduates 65% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $25,250. Read the full report on Montclair State University
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At Austin Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #14 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about University Of Illinois At Chicago
Iowa State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $24,958 in debt. See the full Iowa State University profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Georgia came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,466 in student loans. Read more about University Of Georgia
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #19 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Set in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Minnesota State University Mankato posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $15,304 in debt. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
Eastern Michigan University placed #21 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Based in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $33,885. More on Eastern Michigan University
The University Of Alabama placed #22 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Based in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
Saint Marys University Of Minnesota ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Based in Winona, MN, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota is a private not-for-profit institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $45,080. Saint Marys University Of Minnesota Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $27,081 in debt. Read the full report on Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
Syracuse University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $22,981. More on Syracuse University
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $23,250. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best Human Development Family Studies Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Kansas State University came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. About 71% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $25,000. More on Kansas State University
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $21,875. Read the full report on University Of Nevada Reno
Boston University did well this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. More on Boston University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #29 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $26,000. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Towson University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full Towson University profile
University Of Utah came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $15,500. More on University Of Utah
Western Michigan University placed #32 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Located in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $29,539. Read more about Western Michigan University
The University Of Tennessee landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $22,790. More on The University Of Tennessee
East Carolina University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Based in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. East Carolina University Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on East Carolina University
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Located in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $19,343. More on Ohio University Main Campus
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Located in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $23,858 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. Read more about Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Florida landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. University Of Florida Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $17,296 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Florida
Northern Illinois University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Based in Dekalb, IL, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Northern Illinois University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. More on Northern Illinois University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #39 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Auburn University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Auburn University Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full Auburn University profile
Oregon State University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Oregon State University is a public school based in Corvallis, OR. Oregon State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Oregon State University
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Concordia University Saint Paul is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $30,583. Read the full report on Concordia University Saint Paul
University Of Connecticut ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Set in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. University Of Connecticut Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $23,059 in debt. Get the full University Of Connecticut report
University Of Kentucky placed #44 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
Missouri State University Springfield did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Missouri State University Springfield Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
Nova Southeastern University placed #46 among Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Nova Southeastern University Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $25,021 in debt. More on Nova Southeastern University
University Of Central Missouri landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in Warrensburg, MO, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. University Of Central Missouri Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Central Missouri
Concordia University Seward ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Human Development Family Studies schools. Based in Seward, NE, Concordia University Seward is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Students from in state pay about $40,640 in tuition and fees. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $26,726. Read more about Concordia University Seward
Arizona State University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. Get the full Arizona State University report
Florida State University came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Florida State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. See the full Florida State University 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 Doctoral 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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