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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong child development education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among child development schools in Texas. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $6,868. Child Development graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $19,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #3 spot this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. 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 #4 spot this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at St Philips College, which ranked #5. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College came in at #6 for value in child development this year. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,720. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College earned the #8 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Child Development graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College landed the #9 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, 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. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Mclennan Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,598. Early-career child development graduates make about $40,499. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #11 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Child Development graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Laredo Community College placed #13 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Child Development graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Odessa College landed the #14 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College placed #15 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,941. Child Development graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College earned the #16 position for value in child development this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $13,788. Early-career child development graduates make about $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Angelina College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Students borrow a median of $7,828 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Southwest Texas Junior College landed the #18 spot for child development value 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, compared with $6,294 for out-of-state students. 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.
Texarkana College came in at #19 for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,476, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,686. Child Development graduates of Texarkana College earn a median of $33,707 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,686 median debt.
Tyler Junior College landed the #20 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple College placed #21 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Child Development graduates carry a median of $16,617 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $55,262. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
Blinn College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $16,465. Child Development graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #23 position for value in child development this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Child Development graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $45,681. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas Womans University placed #24 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,170 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $36,855. Set against $24,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for child development this year:
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.