2026 Best Value Family Consumer Human Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1197 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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, Grad Degree analyzed schools to compile 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 Family Consumer Human Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Erikson Institute earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Erikson Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. See the full Erikson Institute profile
You'll get strong value at Clemson University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. The median Family Consumer Human Sciences program debt is $23,783. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,513. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University has an acceptance rate of 38%. Read the full report on Clemson University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Dakota State University earned it the #3 place in the United States. South Dakota State University is a public school based in Brookings, SD. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,417 to complete their Family Consumer Human Sciences program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted. See the full South Dakota State University profile
You'll get strong value at Texas Tech University, which ranked #4 this year. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. The median Family Consumer Human Sciences program debt is $23,797. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. Set against $23,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Texas Tech University
Out of the 1197 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #5 spot. Located in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. The median Family Consumer Human Sciences program debt is $25,531. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,887 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Kansas State University landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Kansas State University Family Consumer Human Sciences students take on a median of $24,489 in debt. Median earnings reach $57,262 ten years out. Set against $24,489 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants. Get the full Kansas State University report
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school based in Stillwater, OK. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Oklahoma State University Main Campus Family Consumer Human Sciences students take on a median of $23,402 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,413. Set against $23,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
Towson University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical Family Consumer Human Sciences student debt is $20,500. Towson University alumni report median earnings of $64,390 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Towson University has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read more about Towson University
Iowa State University placed #9 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. Based 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. The median Family Consumer Human Sciences program debt is $23,951. Iowa State University alumni report median earnings of $63,386 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,951 median debt. Iowa State University has an acceptance rate of 89%. See the full Iowa State University profile
University Of North Alabama placed #10 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. University Of North Alabama is a public school based in Florence, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $27,143 to complete their Family Consumer Human Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,415. That is a strong return on a $27,143 median debt. University Of North Alabama has an acceptance rate of 87%. Get the full University Of North Alabama report
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical Family Consumer Human Sciences student debt is $25,782. Median earnings reach $63,403 ten years out. Set against $25,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia has an acceptance rate of 78%. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Kentucky came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical Family Consumer Human Sciences student debt is $23,464. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,025. Set against $23,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants. More on University Of Kentucky
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,064 to complete their Family Consumer Human Sciences program here. University Of Georgia alumni report median earnings of $68,726 a decade after entry. Set against $23,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Georgia
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Greensboro, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Family Consumer Human Sciences program here. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro alumni report median earnings of $48,160 a decade after entry. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Eastern Washington University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical Family Consumer Human Sciences student debt is $19,936. Median earnings reach $57,897 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,936 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%. More on Eastern Washington University
Michigan State University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete their Family Consumer Human Sciences program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,253. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Michigan State University report
University Of Florida ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. University Of Florida Family Consumer Human Sciences students take on a median of $17,296 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Florida
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. The median Family Consumer Human Sciences program debt is $22,113. North Carolina State University At Raleigh alumni report median earnings of $68,758 a decade after entry. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 42%. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Portland State University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Based in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $23,334 to complete their Family Consumer Human Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,906. That is a strong return on a $23,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read the full report on Portland State University
University Of Arizona ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical Family Consumer Human Sciences student debt is $20,400. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,979. That is a strong return on a $20,400 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
Capella University placed #21 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. Capella University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Capella University Family Consumer Human Sciences students take on a median of $35,998 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,189. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt. See the full Capella University profile
American University placed #22 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical Family Consumer Human Sciences student debt is $24,139. Median earnings reach $77,370 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University admits about 62% of applicants. Read more about American University
Nova Southeastern University landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,700. Typical Family Consumer Human Sciences student debt is $25,021. Nova Southeastern University alumni report median earnings of $59,209 a decade after entry. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Nova Southeastern University profile
The University Of Tennessee offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,212 to complete their Family Consumer Human Sciences program here. The University Of Tennessee alumni report median earnings of $60,249 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,212 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
Case Western Reserve University placed #25 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cleveland, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Case Western Reserve University Family Consumer Human Sciences students take on a median of $25,106 in debt. Case Western Reserve University alumni report median earnings of $87,989 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. About 36% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Case Western Reserve University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Family Consumer Human Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Auburn University placed #26 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. Auburn University is a public school based in Auburn, AL. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,765 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $65,337. Set against $24,765 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants. Read more about Auburn University
University Of Maine ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools. Located in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical Family Consumer Human Sciences student debt is $26,000. University Of Maine alumni report median earnings of $48,653 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Maine has an acceptance rate of 97%. Read more about University Of Maine
Syracuse University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical Family Consumer Human Sciences student debt is $23,822. Syracuse University alumni report median earnings of $79,164 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,822 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%. More on Syracuse University
Cuny Hunter College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete their Family Consumer Human Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $63,163 ten years out. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants. Read more about Cuny Hunter College
Virginia State University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools. Based in Petersburg, VA, Virginia State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $45,543 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Virginia State University report
Ashford University landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Ashford University
Connecticut College placed #32 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. More on Connecticut College
Harding University offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read more about Harding University
Northwest Kansas Technical College placed #34 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Northwest Kansas Technical College report
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools. More on Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Sussex County Community College landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Sussex County Community College profile
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about The University Of Texas At Austin
Denmark Technical College placed #38 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Denmark Technical College
Fielding Graduate University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Fielding Graduate University report
Isothermal Community College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools. Get the full Isothermal Community College report
Ohio University Zanesville Campus landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Ohio University Zanesville Campus report
Arizona Western College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Arizona Western College
Big Sandy Community And Technical College placed #43 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Big Sandy Community And Technical College profile
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. See the full Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies profile
College Of The Siskiyous ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools. Get the full College Of The Siskiyous report
Copiah Lincoln Community College placed #46 among the best-value Family Consumer Human Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Copiah Lincoln Community College
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German
Johnson University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Johnson University
Lakeshore Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Lakeshore Technical College
Palm Beach State College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. See the full Palm Beach State College profile
Related Family Consumer Human Sciences Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Family Consumer Human Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Family Consumer Human Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Human Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Human Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Human Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Human Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Family Consumer Human Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 1197 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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