2026 Best Child development Schools in Tennessee
Child development degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their child development programs.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best child development schools.
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Best Schools for Child development in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall child development education in Tennessee.
Top Schools in Child development
Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 school for child development. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 child development students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
Read more about the child development program at Vanderbilt University
Dyersburg State Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child development, ranking #2. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 39 child development students who graduated with this degree at Dyersburg State Community College in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Dyersburg State Community College earn a median of $41,177 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,611 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in child development from Dyersburg State Community College
Students looking for a strong child development program will find one at East Tennessee State University, which ranked #3. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 25 child development degrees were awarded at East Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $33,301 in their early career. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $20,032 in student loans.
Read more about the child development program at East Tennessee State University
Roane State Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 40 child development degrees were awarded at Roane State Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $36,933 in their early career. Roane State Community College graduates carry a median of $9,408 in student loans.
See the full child development program report for Roane State Community College
Students looking for a strong child development program will find one at Nashville State Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Nashville State Community College awarded about 38 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,745.
See the full child development program report for Nashville State Community College
Northeast State Community College earned the #6 position for child development this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Blountville. About 27 child development degrees were awarded at Northeast State Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Northeast State Community College generally make around $39,673. Students borrow a median of $6,404 to complete this degree.
See the full child development program report for Northeast State Community College
More Child development Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 16 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
