2026 Best Child development Schools in the The Plains States Region
Child development programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools to find the best for child development students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Child development in the The Plains States Region
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.
Top Schools in Child development
Leading the list is University Of Missouri Columbia, our #1 school for child development. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 31 child development degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $40,221 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the child development program at University Of Missouri Columbia
Saint Louis Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Bridgeton. About 22 child development degrees were awarded at Saint Louis Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $26,593. Typical student debt for the program is $11,424.
Read more about the child development program at Saint Louis Community College
Kansas State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child development, ranking #3. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kansas State University awarded about 22 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $42,654. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full child development details for Kansas State University
Students looking for a strong child development program will find one at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. About 35 child development degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $32,769 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in child development from Missouri State University Springfield
Southeast Community College Area is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Southeast Community College Area awarded about 13 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from Southeast Community College Area earn around $29,534 in the first couple years of their career. Southeast Community College Area graduates carry a median of $16,165 in student loans.
Read more about the child development program at Southeast Community College Area
University Of Central Missouri came in at #6 for child development this year. This large public university is located in the town of Warrensburg. University Of Central Missouri graduates 54% of students within six years. About 22 child development degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $36,267 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full child development details for University Of Central Missouri
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates 45% of students within six years. About 30 child development degrees were awarded at Concordia University Saint Paul in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from Concordia University Saint Paul earn around $42,810 in the first couple years of their career. Concordia University Saint Paul graduates carry a median of $30,583 in student loans.
See the full child development program report for Concordia University Saint Paul
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 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.
