2027 Best Value Child development Schools
[Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 171 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child development students.
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Finding the Best Value Child development School for You
Where you study child development affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Child development Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Child development Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Child development Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the child development degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Child development Schools
For return on investment in child development, no school beat California State University San Bernardino this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Victor Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,995. Early-career child development graduates make about $37,755. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Yuba College one of the best values for child development. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $8,729. Early-career child development graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #4 place for child development. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Child Development graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #5 place for child development. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $6,868. Early-career child development graduates make about $19,971. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Child Development graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College came in at #7 for value in child development this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,372, with out-of-state students paying around $3,268. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,110. Early-career child development graduates make about $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College earned the #9 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,617 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $46,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College placed #10 among the best values for child development. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Child Development graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Clovis Community College Fresno earned the #11 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students.
Amarillo College placed #12 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,720. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #13 for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Tarrant County College District landed the #14 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,677. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College earned the #16 position for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $9,000. Child Development graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Dyersburg State Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,060. Students borrow a median of $10,611 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,177. That is a strong return on a $10,611 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College placed #18 among the best values for child development. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $35,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg landed the #19 spot for child development value this year. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,595 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $45,400 early in their careers. Set against $15,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College placed #20 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, compared with $12,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the child development program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College placed #21 among the best values for child development. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. That is a strong return on a $13,919 median debt.
Roane State Community College came in at #22 for value in child development this year. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,408 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. Set against $9,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College placed #23 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Child Development graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Community College came in at #24 for value in child development this year. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,556, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $68,517. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College placed #25 among the best values for child development. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $67,048. That is a strong return on a $13,302 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Child development Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for child development this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Child development. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 171 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 171 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
