Best Human Development and Family Studies Online Degree Programs

Have a passion for helping and a curiosity about human development across the lifespan? Explore the best human development and family studies online degree programs.
Bernard Grant, Ph.D.
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Updated October 30, 2024
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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.

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Best Online Bachelor’s in Human and Family Development Programs

#1

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,422

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,582

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

90%

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,219

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,937

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

17,743

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,422

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,582

Greensboro, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,422

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,582

Acceptance Rate

90%

Online Enrollment

69%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,219

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,937

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

17,743

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#2

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA4 yearCampus + Online

$5,742

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$17,622

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

96%

Acceptance Rate

73%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,176

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,680

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

13,673

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,742

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,622

Hayward, CA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,742

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,622

Acceptance Rate

96%

Online Enrollment

73%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,176

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,680

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

13,673

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR4 yearCampus + Online

$10,425

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$31,200

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

83%

Acceptance Rate

56%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,446

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,242

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

34,292

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,425

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,200

Corvallis, OR4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,425

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,200

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment

56%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,446

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,242

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

34,292

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#4

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Menomonie, WI4 yearCampus + Online

$7,014

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,281

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

86%

Acceptance Rate

56%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,444

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,090

Retention Rate

72%

Students Enrolled

7,234

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,014

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,281

Menomonie, WI4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,014

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,281

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

56%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$7,444

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,090

Retention Rate

72%

Students Enrolled

7,234

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#5

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL4 yearCampus + Online

$11,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$32,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

76%

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,460

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

39,622

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,400

Tuscaloosa, AL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,400

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$11,100

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$31,460

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

39,622

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#6

New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, NM4 yearCampus + Online

$6,728

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,055

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

76%

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,184

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,023

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

14,779

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,728

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,055

Las Cruces, NM4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,728

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,055

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

70%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,184

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,023

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

14,779

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#7

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$15,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$25,084

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

92%

Acceptance Rate

54%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,189

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,248

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

88,914

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,084

University Park, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,400

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$25,084

Acceptance Rate

92%

Online Enrollment

54%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$23,189

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,248

Retention Rate

87%

Students Enrolled

88,914

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#8

Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA4 yearCampus + Online

$5,180

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,968

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

89%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,738

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,526

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

8,847

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,180

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,968

Natchitoches, LA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$5,180

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,968

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

89%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,738

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,526

Retention Rate

70%

Students Enrolled

8,847

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#9

Utah State University

Logan, UT4 yearCampus + Online

$7,387

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$23,305

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

94%

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,763

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,176

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

28,063

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,387

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,305

Logan, UT4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,387

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,305

Acceptance Rate

94%

Online Enrollment

57%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$6,763

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,176

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

28,063

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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.

Career Outlook for an Associate Degree in Accounting
Job TitleMedian Salary (2023)Projected Job Growth 2023-2032
Social Worker$58,3807%
Family Counselor$58,51016%
Early Childhood Educator$37,1304%
Occupational Therapist$96,37011%
Social and Community Service Manager$77,0308%
Rehabilitation Counselor$44,0402%
Source: BLS

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.

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