by our College Data Analytics Team
[Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 21 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.
Cleveland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among child development schools in North Carolina. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,131. Early-career child development graduates make about $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $24,617 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $46,293. Set against $24,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at Wayne Community College, which ranked #3. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Child Development graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Piedmont Community College one of the best values for child development. Set in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,556, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Child Development graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Piedmont Community College generally make around $68,517. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at James Sprunt Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #6 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $16,909. Child Development graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College placed #7 among the best values for child development. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Child Development graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Richmond Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,956, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Students borrow a median of $8,407 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alamance Community College landed the #9 spot for child development value this year. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Child Development graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock landed the #10 spot for child development value this year. Located in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,804. Students borrow a median of $16,252 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $42,443. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.
Gaston College earned the #11 position for value in child development this year. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $39,937. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
Haywood Community College earned the #12 position for value in child development this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $35,767.
Randolph Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,416, while out-of-state students pay about $8,176. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $32,198.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #14 for value in child development this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $34,351. That is a strong return on a $10,867 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #15 spot for child development value this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $20,783 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $38,673. That is a strong return on a $20,783 median debt.
Davidson County Community College placed #16 among the best values for child development. Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,980, while out-of-state students pay about $6,588. Child Development graduates carry a median of $18,168 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $22,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #17 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $37,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College landed the #18 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,882, with out-of-state students paying around $9,026. Child Development graduates carry a median of $18,883 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College generally make around $37,459. That is a strong return on a $18,883 median debt.
East Carolina University came in at #19 for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $27,000. Child Development graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $29,607 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Appalachian State University placed #20 among the best values for child development. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Child Development graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $30,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Meredith College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,630. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $40,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.