2027 Best Value Child development Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child development students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Child development Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among child development schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Child Development graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Cleveland Community College one of 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, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. 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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Durham Technical Community College one of the best values for child development. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $24,617. Child Development graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,617 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes James Sprunt Community College one of the best values for child development. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $35,264. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg placed #6 among the best values for child development. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,595 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $45,400. That is a strong return on a $15,595 median debt.
Piedmont Community College earned the #7 position for value in child development this year. Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Roxboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,556, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Dyersburg State Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dyersburg. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,060. Students borrow a median of $10,611 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Dyersburg State Community College earn a median of $41,177 early in their careers. Set against $10,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roane State Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,998, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #10 position for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Ozarka College came in at #11 for value in child development this year. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,820, while out-of-state students pay about $6,820. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,778. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Ozarka College generally make around $48,116. Set against $11,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College came in at #12 for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Students borrow a median of $12,079 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $37,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College placed #13 among the best values for child development. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,920.
Richmond Community College landed the #14 spot for child development value this year. Located in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,956, while out-of-state students pay about $6,564. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $8,407. Early-career child development graduates make about $46,757. That is a strong return on a $8,407 median debt.
Walters State Community College earned the #15 position for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,752, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,210. Early-career child development graduates make about $35,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas Northeastern College earned the #16 position for value in child development this year. Set in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,570, while out-of-state students pay about $4,250. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,944. Early-career child development graduates make about $47,773. Set against $7,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alamance Community College came in at #17 for value in child development this year. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Child Development graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock landed the #18 spot for child development value this year. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $16,252. Child Development graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn a median of $42,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.
Gaston College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,915. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nashville State Community College earned the #20 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $16,745. Child Development graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,745 median debt.
Northwest Arkansas Community College landed the #21 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Students borrow a median of $12,479 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Set against $12,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haywood Community College placed #22 among the best values for child development. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Early-career child development graduates make about $35,767.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #23 position for value in child development this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,867. Child Development graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,867 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #24 spot for child development value this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $20,783. Early-career child development graduates make about $38,673. Set against $20,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Randolph Community College landed the #25 spot for child development value this year. Located in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,416 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,176 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Child development Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s child development value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
