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Best Value Housing and Human Environments Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Brigham Young University stands out among Housing and Human Environments programs with graduates earning $63,855 annually while maintaining a net price of just $14,487, creating an strong return on investment that few programs can match. This earning advantage reflects the field's growing importance in addressing America's housing crisis, where professionals skilled in residential design, family services, and community development find expanding opportunities across government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private firms. The earnings gap between top and bottom performers spans nearly $30,000, with CUNY NYC College of Technology offering the lowest net cost at $4,783 despite its graduates earning $52,107. Public institutions generally deliver strong value propositions, though their graduation rates vary dramatically from Ohio University's regional campuses at 13-19% to the University of Georgia's 87.2%. The field connects directly to national priorities around affordable housing, aging populations, and family support services, creating stable career paths for graduates willing to navigate the significant cost and outcome differences between programs.
24
Programs
$4,503 – $40,721
Net Price Range
$45,482
Avg. Program Earnings
54.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

24 Housing and Human Environments Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,783 $52,107 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
2 $14,487 $63,855 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
3 $13,816 $44,928 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
4 $14,981 $41,565 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
5 $17,502 $37,856 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
6 $19,889 $43,000 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%
7 $20,413 $35,060 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
8 $20,579 $24,888 70.9% 45.1%
9 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
10 $18,661 $34,700 46.4% 79.8%
11 $17,529 $23,400 69.6%
12 $16,378 $10,234 65.9% 70.6%
13 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
14 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
15 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
16 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
17 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
18 $40,721 $44,208 70.0% 78.9%
19 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
20 $15,402 $8,994 62.4% 85.6%
21 $17,424 $10,108 65.8% 78.6%
22 $14,532 $9,496 55.7% 86.3%
23 $17,139 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
24 $21,504 $40,556 56.0% 69.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $30,000 earnings gap between top and bottom programs?

Brigham Young University graduates earn $63,855 compared to Ohio University-Main Campus graduates at $35,060, reflecting regional job markets and program focus areas. BYU's program emphasizes family and consumer sciences with strong industry connections, while Ohio University serves a regional market with lower average salaries. Geographic location plays a major role, as housing and human environment professionals in western markets typically command higher salaries than those in rural Ohio communities.

How do public university regional campuses compare to main campuses?

Ohio University's regional campuses in Zanesville, Lancaster, and Southern Ohio show dramatically lower graduation rates of 13-19% compared to the main Athens campus at 66.4%. These branch campuses offer net prices around $5,300-$6,100, making them highly affordable options. However, the low completion rates suggest students may struggle with support services or transfer to four-year programs elsewhere, making the main campus a better investment despite higher costs.

Is the University of Georgia worth its higher acceptance selectivity?

Georgia accepts just 42.55% of applicants but delivers an 87.2% graduation rate, the highest among public institutions in this ranking. Graduates earn $44,928 with manageable debt of $19,679, creating solid value despite the competitive admission process. The program benefits from Georgia's growing population and housing development, particularly around Atlanta, where family and consumer science professionals find strong job markets in healthcare, education, and social services.

Does attending a private religious institution provide career advantages?

Brigham Young University and Harding University both show strong graduation rates of 82.2% and 70.9% respectively, suggesting supportive academic environments. BYU graduates command the highest salaries at $63,855, while Harding's outcomes data remains limited. Private religious institutions often emphasize family studies and community service aspects of housing and human environments, which can lead to specialized career paths in faith-based organizations and family counseling services.

Where do Housing and Human Environments graduates typically find employment?

The field spans multiple sectors including government housing authorities, family service agencies, healthcare systems, and educational institutions. Graduates often work as family life educators, housing counselors, community development specialists, and consumer advocates. The $35,000-$64,000 salary range reflects this diversity, with government positions typically offering lower starting salaries but strong benefits, while private sector roles in consumer research and housing development provide higher earning potential in major metropolitan areas.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.