by our College Data Analytics Team
[Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value child development schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Victor Valley College earned the #1 spot for value among child development schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,995. Early-career child development graduates make about $37,755. That is a strong return on a $7,995 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Child Development graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $19,971. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #3 place for child development. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at Tarrant County College District, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,148. Early-career child development graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at Yuba College, which ranked #5. Yuba College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Marysville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College Fresno earned the #6 position for value in child development this year. Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638.
Del Mar College placed #7 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Child Development graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College earned the #8 position for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. That is a strong return on a $15,677 median debt.
Amarillo College came in at #9 for value in child development this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg landed the #10 spot for child development value this year. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, with out-of-state students paying around $9,424. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,595. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from West Virginia University At Parkersburg generally make around $45,400. Set against $15,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College landed the #11 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the child development program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butte College earned the #12 position for value in child development this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College placed #13 among the best values for child development. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $13,919. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College placed #14 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,287 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $33,103 early in their careers. Set against $15,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roane State Community College came in at #15 for value in child development this year. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $9,408. Child Development graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Oklahoma College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Students borrow a median of $11,811 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College landed the #17 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,653. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College landed the #18 spot for child development value this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College landed the #19 spot for child development value this year. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,839. Child Development graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Houston Community College earned the #20 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Child Development graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Reedley College landed the #21 spot for child development value this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College placed #22 among the best values for child development. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Child Development graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Redlands Community College landed the #24 spot for child development value this year. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,385, with out-of-state students paying around $7,951. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. That is a strong return on a $14,682 median debt.
Nashville State Community College came in at #25 for value in child development this year. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Child Development graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. That is a strong return on a $16,745 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for child development this year:
Explore the best-value child development schools at other degree levels:
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.