2026 Best Value Human Development Family Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Human Development Family Studies doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1057 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Human Development Family Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Montclair State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Human Development Family Studies doctoral degree schools in the United States. Montclair State University is a public school based in Montclair, NJ. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $25,250. Median earnings reach $61,415 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. See the full Montclair State University profile
You'll get strong value at University Of Delaware, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Newark, DE. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. University Of Delaware Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $24,861 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $72,950. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants. Read more about University Of Delaware
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Tech University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University has an acceptance rate of 73%. Get the full Texas Tech University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $21,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,121. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Clemson University came in at #5 on this year's best-value Human Development Family Studies ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Graduates carry a median of $23,783 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,513 ten years after entry. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University has an acceptance rate of 38%. More on Clemson University
Capella University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,400. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $35,998. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,189 ten years after entry. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Capella University
Texas Womans University landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Graduates carry a median of $24,170 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,544. That is a strong return on a $24,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%. Read more about Texas Womans University
Iowa State University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Iowa State University
Washington State University placed #9 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,905. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Washington State University report
University Of Georgia placed #10 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. University Of Georgia Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $23,466 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $26,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,160. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University alumni report median earnings of $81,698 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $15,304 in student loans. Median earnings reach $72,424 ten years out. Set against $15,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 50% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $22,790. The University Of Tennessee alumni report median earnings of $60,249 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. More on The University Of Tennessee
Michigan State University landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Michigan State University Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $29,750 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,253 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Michigan State University profile
Oregon State University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $26,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,010. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University has an acceptance rate of 77%. Get the full Oregon State University report
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $23,250. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants. Read the full report on Ohio State University Main Campus
Tufts University placed #18 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $16,170. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $83,214. That is a strong return on a $16,170 median debt. Tufts University has an acceptance rate of 12%. Get the full Tufts University report
Auburn University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $25,000. Auburn University alumni report median earnings of $65,337 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. About 46% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Auburn University
University Of Kentucky offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $24,094. University Of Kentucky alumni report median earnings of $59,025 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Kentucky
Syracuse University placed #21 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,981 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $79,164 ten years after entry. Set against $22,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%. Read more about Syracuse University
Utah State University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $16,573. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University has an acceptance rate of 92%. Read the full report on Utah State University
Mississippi State University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Mississippi State University is a public school based in Mississippi State, MS. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $27,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,513. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Mississippi State University has an acceptance rate of 78%. Read the full report on Mississippi State University
University Of Connecticut offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Storrs, CT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. University Of Connecticut Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $23,059 in debt. Median earnings reach $73,997 ten years out. Set against $23,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut has an acceptance rate of 52%. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut
Clackamas Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. See the full Clackamas Community College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Human Development Family Studies Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Cuny New York City College Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read more about Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Dabney S Lancaster Community College
Geneva College
Geneva College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Geneva College
Hill College
Hill College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. See the full Hill College profile
Johnston Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on Johnston Community College
Los Angeles Southwest College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on Los Angeles Southwest College
San Diego Mesa College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. More on San Diego Mesa College
Seminole State College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Seminole State College report
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Southwest Virginia Community College
University Of Arizona ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. Read more about University Of Arizona
Merritt College
Merritt College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. More on Merritt College
Napa Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about Napa Valley College
Nicholls State University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Nicholls State University
Northern Illinois University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full Northern Illinois University profile
Sul Ross State University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. More on Sul Ross State University
Ventura College
Ventura College placed #41 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. More on Ventura College
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences profile
Fielding Graduate University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. See the full Fielding Graduate University profile
Kent State University At Salem ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. See the full Kent State University At Salem profile
Mendocino College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read more about Mendocino College
Metropolitan Community College Area offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Metropolitan Community College Area
Pine Technical College placed #47 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. See the full Pine Technical College profile
Southwestern College Chula Vista offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Southwestern College Chula Vista
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Wyoming ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. Read the full report on University Of Wyoming
Related Human Development Family Studies Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Human Development Family Studies Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Human Development Family Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Human Development Family Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Human Development Family Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Human Development Family Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Human Development Family Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Human Development Family Studies Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · 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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