Child development degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 129 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best child development schools.
Where you study child development matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Child development Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Child development Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Child development in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the child development degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best child development schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 33 child development students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $34,533 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full child development details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes Santa Clara University one of the top schools for child development. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Santa Clara University awarded about 12 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans.
Read more about the child development program at Santa Clara University
Boston University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best child development schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 child development students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from Boston University earn around $49,851 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
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California State University Fresno is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fresno awarded about 102 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,598.
More information about a degree in child development from California State University Fresno
Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 29 child development degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $77,997 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
See the full child development program report for Vanderbilt University
Texas Tech University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best child development schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 child development students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $39,096. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Read more about the child development program at Texas Tech University
California State University San Bernardino landed the #7 spot for child development this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 191 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from California State University San Bernardino earn around $42,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in child development from California State University San Bernardino
Tufts University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best child development schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 76 child development degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $44,725 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,170 to complete this degree.
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University Of Georgia came in at #9 for child development this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 13 child development degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $31,392. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $23,466 in student loans.
See the full child development program report for University Of Georgia
California State University Long Beach placed #10 among the best child development schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 206 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $30,205 in their early career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in child development from California State University Long Beach
Towson University came in at #11 for child development this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 child development students who graduated with this degree at Towson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $50,370 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
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Olivet Nazarene University came in at #12 for child development this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 17 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans.
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University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best child development schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 22 child development degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $40,221 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full child development program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
Point Loma Nazarene University earned the #14 position for child development this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 64 child development degrees were awarded at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $27,037 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete this degree.
Read more about the child development program at Point Loma Nazarene University
Kansas State University placed #15 among the best child development schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 child development students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $42,654. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in child development from Kansas State University
Saint Louis Community College came in at #16 for child development this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 26 child development students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $26,593 in their early career. Saint Louis Community College graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans.
More information about a degree in child development from Saint Louis Community College
University Of La Verne came in at #17 for child development this year. University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of La Verne. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 57 child development degrees were awarded at University Of La Verne in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from University Of La Verne earn around $35,364 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College placed #18 among the best child development schools. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College graduates 44% of students within six years. About 13 child development degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College generally make around $56,450. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College graduates carry a median of $25,296 in student loans.
See the full child development program report for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #19 for child development this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 child development students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University San Antonio in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. Texas A And M University San Antonio graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans.
More information about a degree in child development from Texas A And M University San Antonio
Auburn University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best child development schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 child development students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from Auburn University earn around $30,502 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full child development program report for Auburn University
Portland State University earned the #21 position for child development this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 child development degrees were awarded at Portland State University in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $44,751 early in their careers. Portland State University graduates carry a median of $23,334 in student loans.
More information about a degree in child development from Portland State University
Humboldt State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best child development schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 30 child development degrees were awarded at Humboldt State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from Humboldt State University earn around $34,928 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,129.
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Tulsa Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best child development schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 122 child development students who graduated with this degree at Tulsa Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $33,103 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,287 to complete this degree.
Read more about the child development program at Tulsa Community College
Charter Oak State College placed #24 among the best child development schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of New Britain. Roughly 100% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 54 child development degrees were awarded at Charter Oak State College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Charter Oak State College generally make around $62,864. Charter Oak State College graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans.
See the full child development program report for Charter Oak State College
West Virginia University placed #25 among the best child development schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. West Virginia University awarded about 22 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $32,306 in their early career. West Virginia University graduates carry a median of $25,242 in student loans.
See the full child development program report for West Virginia University
Rest of the Top 50 Child development Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong child development education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 129 schools evaluated.
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).
