2026 Best Value Human Development Family Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Human Development Family Studies undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1057 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Hennepin Technical College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Located in Brooklyn Park, MN, Hennepin Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Hennepin Technical College Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $17,887 in debt. Median earnings reach $49,460 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,887 median debt. More on Hennepin Technical College
You'll get strong value at Minneapolis Community And Technical College, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,086. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Read the full report on Minneapolis Community And Technical College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cabrillo College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Aptos, CA, Cabrillo College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,270, compared with $9,862 for out-of-state students. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $10,425. Cabrillo College alumni report median earnings of $44,114 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt. Read more about Cabrillo College
A rank of #4 makes Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Rice Lake, WI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Graduates carry a median of $12,457 in student loans. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College alumni report median earnings of $43,406 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,457 median debt. Get the full Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College report
Out of the 1057 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Delta College landed the #5 spot. Set in University Center, MI, Delta College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Delta College Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $14,478 in debt. Delta College alumni report median earnings of $37,781 a decade after entry. Set against $14,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Delta College
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Calmar, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $14,348. Median earnings reach $41,306 ten years out. Set against $14,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar
Southeast Technical Institute landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Southeast Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,650. Southeast Technical Institute Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $18,442 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,709. That is a strong return on a $18,442 median debt. Get the full Southeast Technical Institute report
Northern Virginia Community College placed #8 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Based in Annandale, VA, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $16,342. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,557. Set against $16,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Northern Virginia Community College
Saint Louis Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. Set in Bridgeton, MO, Saint Louis Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $11,424. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,325. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt. More on Saint Louis Community College
Santa Ana College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. This public school is set in Santa Ana, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $6,630. Median earnings reach $43,552 ten years out. Set against $6,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Santa Ana College
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Springfield, MO, Ozarks Technical Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Ozarks Technical Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,455 a decade after entry. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Ozarks Technical Community College profile
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Located in Stockton, CA, San Joaquin Delta College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. San Joaquin Delta College alumni report median earnings of $43,212 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt. See the full San Joaquin Delta College profile
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Located in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. Des Moines Area Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,018 a decade after entry. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Des Moines Area Community College
Hinds Community College landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Raymond, MS, Hinds Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $20,228. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $30,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Hinds Community College
Pulaski Technical College placed #16 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Located in North Little Rock, AR, Pulaski Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,300, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,043 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Pulaski Technical College profile
El Camino Community College District came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Torrance, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry. Read more about El Camino Community College District
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #18 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Akron, OH. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $31,000. Median earnings reach $46,600 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%. Read more about University Of Akron Main Campus
Laredo Community College landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Laredo, TX, Laredo Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete their Human Development Family Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,934. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Laredo Community College
Community College Of Allegheny County ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Community College Of Allegheny County is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Community College Of Allegheny County Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $9,651 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Community College Of Allegheny County profile
Polk State College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. Located in Winter Haven, FL, Polk State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,694, compared with $9,818 for out-of-state students. Polk State College Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $14,806 in debt. Median earnings reach $40,624 ten years out. Set against $14,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Polk State College profile
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Chicago, IL, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Graduates carry a median of $8,478 in student loans. City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College alumni report median earnings of $31,114 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,478 median debt. Read more about City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #23 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,962. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College report
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $12,272. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College alumni report median earnings of $32,427 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,272 median debt. Read more about City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Troy, NY, Hudson Valley Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $8,216. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,460 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Hudson Valley Community College profile
University Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. University Of Florida Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $17,296 in debt. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Set against $17,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%. See the full University Of Florida profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Human Development Family Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Tidewater Community College placed #27 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Tidewater Community College is a public school based in Norfolk, VA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Typical Human Development Family Studies student debt is $13,638. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,349 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,638 median debt. Read the full report on Tidewater Community College
West Kentucky Community And Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Paducah, KY, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. The median Human Development Family Studies program debt is $7,928. West Kentucky Community And Technical College alumni report median earnings of $34,891 a decade after entry. Set against $7,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on West Kentucky Community And Technical College
Cet San Jose ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. Cet San Jose is a private not-for-profit school based in San Jose, CA. Cet San Jose Human Development Family Studies students take on a median of $6,837 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Cet San Jose
Anne Arundel Community College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. More on Anne Arundel Community College
College Of The Desert offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read more about College Of The Desert
Gaston College
Gaston College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools. See the full Gaston College profile
Jose Maria Vargas University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read more about Jose Maria Vargas University
Northwest State Community College came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full Northwest State Community College profile
Paul D Camp Community College landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Paul D Camp Community College
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Chabot College
Chabot College placed #36 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Chabot College report
Grossmont College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Grossmont College
National Louis University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on National Louis University
Northwest Florida State College placed #39 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Northwest Florida State College
Seminole State College Of Florida placed #40 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Seminole State College Of Florida
Southern Utah University landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Southern Utah University
Berkeley City College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Berkeley City College
Central Washington University placed #43 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Central Washington University
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus report
Pearl River Community College placed #45 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. More on Pearl River Community College
Pennsylvania State University Penn State York landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Pennsylvania State University Penn State York
Southside Virginia Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Southside Virginia Community College profile
St Philips College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on St Philips College
University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #49 among the best-value Human Development Family Studies schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks
American River College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Get the full American River College report
Related Human Development Family Studies Value Rankings
Explore 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 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
- Best Value Human Development Family Studies Doctoral 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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