by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 224 U.S. colleges awarded 4,807 degrees and certificates in Child Development. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 38% of graduates. College Factual ranks 129 schools in its 2027 Best Child Development Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $33,342 one year after completing, rising to $46,113 after four years.
A degree in Child Development explores Child Development. A Program That Focuses On The Intellectual, Social, Emotional, And Biological Development Of Children And The Planning And Design Of Related Human Services. Includes Instruction In Parent-Child Relations, Parenting Practices, Special Needs Of Children, Parental And Environmental Influences On Child Development, External Support Services, And Related Public Policy Issues.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, child development is a widely-pursued major, with 4,807 degrees awarded annually. 224 colleges award child development degrees, an average of 21 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 210.
By level, the 4,807 awards include 463 certificates, 775 associate degrees, 1,820 bachelor’s degrees, 1,661 master’s degrees and 4 doctorates.
Women earned 97% of child development degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,643 of 4,807). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,971) and Hispanic or Latino (1,400), and international students earned 63.
College Factual ranks 129 schools in its 2027 Best Child Development Schools ranking, including 36 for associate degrees, 47 for bachelor’s degrees and 11 for master’s degrees. It also ranks child development schools within 19 states. In all, 224 colleges offer child development programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Child Development Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common child development credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,820 of the 4,807 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to child development call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a child development degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 463 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 775 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,820 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,661 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to child development, at 26.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 26.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 15.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.6% |
| Some college courses | 7.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Child Development, with an average median salary of $72,574; the strongest outlook belongs to Farm and Home Management Educators, at 14.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Adjunct Instructor, Teacher, Daycare Teacher and Toddler Teacher.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to child development, at 1,304,119.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | 520,090 | 9.8% |
| Childcare Workers | 438,372 | 10.8% |
| Nannies | 287,752 | 6.8% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
Child Development graduates earn a median $33,342 one year after completing their program, $46,113 after four years and $44,419 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,342 |
| 4 years | $46,113 |
| 5 years | $44,419 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to child development is Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, with a median salary of $99,604.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | $96,801 |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | $89,337 |
| Neuropsychologists | $83,690 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $73,521 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | $57,643 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
Child Development has 10 similar majors in the Family, Consumer & Human Sciences field, which together award 41,091 degrees a year; the largest are Child Care Provider/Assistant (23,628), Human Development and Family Studies, General (9,399) and Child Care and Support Services Management (4,048). Browse all Family, Consumer & Human Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Child Care Provider/Assistant | 23,628 |
| Human Development and Family Studies, General | 9,399 |
| Child Care and Support Services Management | 4,048 |
| Family and Community Services | 1,725 |
| Family Systems | 911 |
| Early Childhood and Family Studies | 497 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other | 428 |
| Adult Development and Aging | 220 |
| Parent Education Services | 157 |
| Developmental Services Worker | 78 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
