2027 Best Value Child development Schools in the Southwest 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for child development students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Child development Schools in the Southwest 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
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for child development in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Child Development graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Child Development graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $19,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,372, with out-of-state students paying around $3,268. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at Del Mar College, which ranked #4. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,476. Early-career child development graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College placed #6 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $9,000. Early-career child development graduates make about $43,454. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College landed the #8 spot for child development value this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,653. Child Development graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
San Antonio College earned the #9 position for value in child development this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,839. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #10 among the best values for child development. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #11 spot for child development value this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $13,919. Child Development graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Oklahoma College landed the #12 spot for child development value this year. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. Students from in state pay about $5,083 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,811. Child Development graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College landed the #13 spot for child development value this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,598. Child Development graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #14 for value in child development this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $19,223. Child Development graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College came in at #15 for value in child development this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,287 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $33,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,287 median debt.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #16 for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Redlands Community College earned the #17 position for value in child development this year. Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of El Reno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,385, with out-of-state students paying around $7,951. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $45,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College landed the #18 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $9,087. Child Development graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laredo Community College landed the #19 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,941. Early-career child development graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
South Plains College earned the #21 position for value in child development this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Angelina College landed the #22 spot for child development value this year. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Child Development graduates carry a median of $7,828 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $50,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Oklahoma State College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,758. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $39,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texarkana College placed #24 among the best values for child development. Texarkana College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. Students from in state pay about $2,476 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Child Development graduates carry a median of $11,686 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $33,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Texas Junior College came in at #25 for value in child development this year. Southwest Texas Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Uvalde. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,646, with out-of-state students paying around $6,294. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,157. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Southwest Texas Junior College generally make around $25,528. Set against $7,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Child development Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for child development this year:
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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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
