2027 Best Value Child development Schools in Tennessee
[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 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child development students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Child development Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child development Schools
Dyersburg State Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value child development schools in Tennessee. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,758, with out-of-state students paying around $18,060. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,611. Child Development graduates of Dyersburg State Community College earn a median of $41,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Roane State Community College one of the best values for child development. Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Harriman. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,630. Child Development graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Roane State Community College generally make around $36,933. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chattanooga State Community College earned it the #3 place for child development. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $12,079. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Chattanooga State Community College generally make around $37,252. That is a strong return on a $12,079 median debt.
Walters State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Morristown, Walters State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,752 in tuition and fees, 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.
A rank of #5 makes Nashville State Community College one of the best values for child development. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vanderbilt University placed #6 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University landed the #7 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $20,032. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $33,301. That is a strong return on a $20,032 median debt. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Lee University landed the #8 spot for child development value this year. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $26,422. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $38,249. Set against $26,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
More Child development Rankings
View All Child development Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
