by our College Data Analytics Team
[Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for child development students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Miles College earned the #1 spot for value among child development schools in Alabama. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Miles College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,881 to complete the child development program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,627. Set against $35,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Mobile one of the best values for child development. University Of Mobile is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mobile. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,910. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $30,127. Child Development graduates of University Of Mobile earn a median of $50,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,127 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #3 makes Auburn University one of the best values for child development. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $25,000. Early-career child development graduates make about $30,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.