Best Human Development and Family Studies Online Degree Programs
BestColleges.com is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.
Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:
- Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
- Provide specific, corrective feedback.
- Identify critical information that writers may have missed.
Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for BestColleges.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
In an online bachelor’s in human development and family studies program, you’ll learn about the differences between how humans function within their family systems and their wider social environments.
The program will teach you the fundamentals of social services, family dynamics, and child development.
Choosing an online program can help you complete your degree with flexibility while working or balancing other obligations. Check out our ranking of the best programs to help start your search.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Human and Family Development Programs
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,422
- Out-of-state$19,582
- In-State$5,219
- Out-of-state$18,937
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled17,743
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
California State University-East Bay
- Hayward, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled13,673
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment73%
- AccreditationYes
Oregon State University
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,425
- Out-of-state$31,200
- In-State$13,446
- Out-of-state$28,242
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled34,292
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
University of Wisconsin-Stout
- Menomonie, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,014
- Out-of-state$15,281
- In-State$7,444
- Out-of-state$16,090
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled7,234
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,100
- Out-of-state$32,400
- In-State$11,100
- Out-of-state$31,460
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled39,622
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
- Las Cruces, NM
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,728
- Out-of-state$25,055
- In-State$5,184
- Out-of-state$18,023
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled14,779
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment70%
- AccreditationYes
The Pennsylvania State University
- University Park, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,400
- Out-of-state$25,084
- In-State$23,189
- Out-of-state$39,248
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled88,914
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Natchitoches, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,180
- Out-of-state$15,968
- In-State$5,738
- Out-of-state$16,526
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled8,847
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment89%
- AccreditationYes
Utah State University
- Logan, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,387
- Out-of-state$23,305
- In-State$6,763
- Out-of-state$23,176
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled28,063
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
At BestColleges, we believe a college education is one of the most important investments you can make. We help you navigate the college selection process by offering transparent, inclusive, and relevant school rankings.
We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2022. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor’s in Human and Family Development Degree?
Graduates of human development and family studies degrees often work in mental health agencies and community service centers for youth and families.
Ultimately, the degree prepares you for careers in counseling, education, and social services, where you can help people and their families at every stage of life.
| Job Title | Median Salary (2023) | Projected Job Growth 2023-2032 |
|---|---|---|
| Social Worker | $58,380 | 7% |
| Family Counselor | $58,510 | 16% |
| Early Childhood Educator | $37,130 | 4% |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,370 | 11% |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $77,030 | 8% |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $44,040 | 2% |
What to Expect in a Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies Program
Before you apply for a human development and family studies program, it’s helpful to gain some insight into what these programs are like. Keep reading to learn about common courses, tuition costs, format, and the specializations you can choose from your program.
Common Courses
Popular coursework you may see in an online human development and family studies program includes:
- Human Development Across the Lifespan: You’ll learn how humans develop in a variety of cultures from birth to death. The course will also teach you how relationships and social environments influence cognitive development.
- Development of School-Age Children: This course focuses on how families, ethnicity, culture, and school environments influence the physical and cognitive development of children from ages 5 to 12.
- Family Diversity: You’ll study the variations within families by contrasting the differences and similarities regarding ethnicity, culture, class, family structure, gender, and sexual orientation.
- Current Family Theory and Research: This seminar explores current problems in family studies with an emphasis on theoretical concepts and research literature.
- Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood: You’ll analyze how policies influence early childhood programs, childhood professionals, and families with children.
Tuition Cost
The average cost of a college degree in the 2021-2022 academic year was $15,200 at public institutions and $29,700 at private institutions, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports.
Tuition costs differ between schools. For example, Penn State World Campus charges $632 to $678 per credit or $7,678 to $8,288 per semester for their online human development and family studies program.
In Colorada State University’s online human development and family studies bachelor’s degree program, tuition is $476 per credit.
Online Format
In an online program, you’ll tune into lectures, participate in discussions, and submit all your coursework online. Some programs allow you to choose an asynchronous format — allowing you to complete your work on your own schedule.
Online degree programs provide a unique level of flexibility. With an online human development program, many students can choose to work or tend to other obligations while studying.
Concentrations
Some concentrations you may find in your online human development and family studies bachelor’s degree program include early childhood professions, pre-health professions, prevention and intervention science, human development and family studies, and leadership and advocacy.
Pediatric healthcare community settings, aging and gerontology studies, family and community services, and child life specialist clinical are also popular options for a concentration.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor’s in Human and Family Development Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the highest paying jobs for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in human and family development studies includes occupational therapists, who earn $96,370 annually, and community service managers, who earn $77,030 each year.
Explore More College Resources
Best Online Child and Adolescent Psychology Programs
Earning an online bachelor’s in child and adolescent psychology paves the way to several career opportunities – so we’ve ranked the best online bachelor’s in child and adolescent psychology programs. Compare schools and learn what careers await with an online bachelor’s program.
by Marisa Upson
Updated October 2, 2024
How to Become a Family Counselor in 5 Steps
Learn how to become a family counselor or family therapist and help couples, children, and parents improve their lives.
by Beth Walton
Updated September 5, 2024
How to Become a Psychiatric Social Worker
Find out how to become a psychiatric social worker. Learn more about educational requirements and salary expectations.
Updated September 6, 2023