Best Colleges for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings — real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services is a field of study that develops specialized knowledge and skills applicable across a range of professional settings. Undergraduate programs typically combine foundational coursework with applied projects, laboratory work, or research experiences designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers or advanced study.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers across multiple industries. Career paths and earning potential vary depending on the specific concentration, graduate degree attainment, and employer. The rankings below are based on actual graduate earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks median earnings for graduates of each school-major combination.
When evaluating Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services programs, consider accreditation status, research and internship opportunities, faculty expertise, and the school's alumni network in your target career field. The earnings data on this page provides an objective, evidence-based signal to help you compare programs by real-world financial outcomes.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
Top 20 Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY | $61,634 | $66,014 | 8% | 15,935 |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL | $53,297 | $34,501 | 44% | 34,623 |
| 3 | California State University-East Bay Hayward, CA | $53,103 | $18,935 | 97% | 10,422 |
| 4 | Tufts University Medford, MA | $52,337 | $67,844 | 10% | 6,804 |
| 5 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | $51,787 | $42,778 | 29% | 42,100 |
| 6 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD | $50,796 | $40,306 | 45% | 30,246 |
| 7 | University of the District of Columbia Washington, DC | $50,715 | $13,004 | N/A | 3,080 |
| 8 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT | $50,448 | $43,034 | 54% | 19,147 |
| 9 | University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, CT | $50,448 | $40,130 | 87% | 464 |
| 10 | University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Hartford, CT | $50,448 | $40,120 | 86% | 1,473 |
| 11 | University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford, CT | $50,448 | $40,140 | 80% | 2,177 |
| 12 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, CT | $50,448 | $40,130 | 87% | 746 |
| 13 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | $49,899 | $46,042 | 25% | 33,787 |
| 14 | Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA | $49,815 | $20,070 | 95% | 5,374 |
| 15 | Baylor University Waco, TX | $48,704 | $54,844 | 51% | 15,007 |
| 16 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA | $48,423 | $36,694 | 57% | 30,435 |
| 17 | Merrimack College North Andover, MA | $48,385 | $51,786 | 74% | 4,043 |
| 18 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL | $48,264 | $18,786 | 25% | 31,812 |
| 19 | Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD | $47,639 | $39,708 | 83% | 3,027 |
| 20 | National Louis University Chicago, IL | $46,9541yr | $12,345 | 93% | 4,100 |
Explore All Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Programs
See earnings data for all 156 schools offering Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, including debt figures and graduate counts.
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What should I look for in a Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services program?
Look for programs with relevant accreditation, strong research or internship opportunities, experienced faculty with industry connections, and alumni networks in the careers you want to pursue. Hands-on learning experiences and career placement rates are also important indicators of program quality.
What careers can I pursue with a Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services degree?
A Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services degree prepares graduates for a range of careers depending on the specific concentration and any graduate study pursued. Review the program's placement data and alumni outcomes to understand where graduates from a specific school tend to land after graduation.
How much do Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services graduates earn?
Earnings for Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services graduates vary by school, specialization, and career path. The rankings on this page reflect verified median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, giving you a school-level view of real financial outcomes for this major.