2026 Best Value Child development Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child development students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Child development Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child development Schools
Leading the list is Saint Louis Community College, our #1 best value for child development in the The Plains States Region. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Child Development graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $26,593. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $16,165. Child Development graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $29,534 early in their careers. Set against $16,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $6,326 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $32,055. That is a strong return on a $17,650 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #4 place for child development. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $24,500. Early-career child development graduates make about $36,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #5 spot this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Child Development graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $32,769 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Kansas State University placed #6 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $42,654. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #7 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Child Development graduates carry a median of $30,583 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $42,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,583 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #9 for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $26,000. Early-career child development graduates make about $40,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Narrow Child development Schools by State
More Child development Rankings
View All Child development Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
