2027 Best Value Child development Bachelor’s Degree 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 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child development students.
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2027 Best Value Child development Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child development Schools
California State University San Bernardino tops our 2027 list of the best value child development schools in the United States. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,598. Child Development graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Texas At Dallas one of the best values for child development. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $30,205. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #5 place for child development. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $21,619. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Portland State University placed #6 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $32,481. That is a strong return on a $23,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #7 for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $36,743 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University earned the #8 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $18,792 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $35,861. That is a strong return on a $18,792 median debt.
American Public University System placed #9 among the best values for child development. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $36,275. Child Development graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $34,347 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Child Development graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $45,681. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #11 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $37,458. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Texas Womans University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Child Development graduates carry a median of $24,170 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $30,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,170 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia landed the #13 spot for child development value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $23,466. Early-career child development graduates make about $31,392. That is a strong return on a $23,466 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University came in at #14 for value in child development this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $19,129. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $34,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno Pacific University came in at #15 for value in child development this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. Students borrow a median of $24,549 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $32,957. That is a strong return on a $24,549 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University earned the #16 position for value in child development this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $19,936 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $28,589. That is a strong return on a $19,936 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Washington State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $24,019. Early-career child development graduates make about $39,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Alcorn State University earned the #18 position for value in child development this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,785. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $31,822. Child Development graduates of Alcorn State University earn a median of $37,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University came in at #19 for value in child development this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Child Development graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri placed #20 among the best values for child development. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $32,574. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Baker College Of Flint placed #21 among the best values for child development. Baker College Of Flint is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,000. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $43,076. Child Development graduates of Baker College Of Flint earn a median of $36,494 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
West Virginia University placed #22 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $25,242. Child Development graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $32,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Charter Oak State College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,506. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $62,864. Set against $23,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Voorhees College came in at #24 for value in child development this year. Located in the rural area of Denmark, Voorhees College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Median earnings reach $35,339 ten years out.
East Carolina University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Child Development graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $29,607. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Child development Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s child development value ranking:
Other Child development Degree Levels
Explore the best-value child development schools at other degree levels:
View All Child development Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 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.
