2026 Best Value Child development Schools in Texas
[Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child development students.
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2026 Best Value Child development Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child development Schools
Our analysis ranked South Texas College the best value for a degree in child development in Texas. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $14,557. 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 Del Mar College, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,476. Child Development graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #4 place for child development. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Child Development graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at Midland College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College earned the #7 position for value in child development this year. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Child Development graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Child Development graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Laredo Community College landed the #8 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Laredo Community College generally make around $41,354. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Tarrant County College District earned the #9 position for value in child development 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. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,148. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Houston Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College placed #11 among the best values for child development. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College came in at #12 for value in child development this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Child Development graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #13 position for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career child development graduates make about $38,107. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #14 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Angelina College came in at #15 for value in child development this year. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,828. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $50,767. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Odessa College placed #16 among the best values for child development. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, 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. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Tyler Junior College landed the #17 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University came in at #18 for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $24,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $36,855. That is a strong return on a $24,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #19 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Students borrow a median of $22,771 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $45,681. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Blinn College placed #20 among the best values for child development. 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. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Texas Tech University placed #21 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
