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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for child development students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the child development degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in child development, no school beat Massasoit Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,894. Early-career child development graduates make about $42,938. That is a strong return on a $10,894 median debt.
Mount Wachusett Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #2 spot this year. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Students borrow a median of $5,921 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $27,078. That is a strong return on a $5,921 median debt.
Charter Oak State College came in at #3 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $8,506 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $23,584. Child Development graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,584 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Post University earned it the #4 place for child development. Set in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Child Development graduates carry a median of $42,597 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Post University earn a median of $30,186 early in their careers. Set against $42,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tufts University earned it the #5 place for child development. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Child Development graduates carry a median of $16,170 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $44,725. That is a strong return on a $16,170 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
Merrimack College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Child Development graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.