by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 298 U.S. colleges awarded 24,503 degrees and certificates in Child Development & Psychology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 83% of graduates. College Factual ranks 204 schools in its 2027 Best Child Development & Psychology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $34,806 one year after completing, rising to $58,844 after four years.
A major in Child Development and Psychology involves the study of child and adolescent behavior. Many of your classes will explore the impact of genetics and environmental influence on the growth and development of a person. Other subjects of study are the mechanisms and process of learning and thinking; this includes encoding, decoding, and processing information.
There are many concentrations in this major. Depending on what college you go to, you may have the opportunity to specialize in Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics; Comparative Psychology; Developmental and Child Psychology; Experimental Psychology; Personality Psychology; Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology; Social Psychology; Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology; or Psychopharmacology.
A degree in Child Development & Psychology explores Research And Experimental Psychology.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, child development & psychology draws strong interest, with 24,503 degrees awarded annually. 298 colleges award child development & psychology degrees, an average of 82 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 986.
By level, the 24,503 awards include 29 certificates, 39 associate degrees, 20,378 bachelor’s degrees, 2,923 master’s degrees and 1,103 doctorates.
Women earned 79% of child development & psychology degrees and certificates in the latest year (19,290 of 24,503). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (11,488) and Hispanic or Latino (4,294), and international students earned 2,059.
College Factual ranks 204 schools in its 2027 Best Child Development & Psychology Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees, 160 for bachelor’s degrees, 58 for master’s degrees and 46 for doctorates. It also ranks child development & psychology schools within 38 states. In all, 298 colleges offer child development & psychology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Child Development & Psychology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common child development & psychology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 20,378 of the 24,503 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to child development & psychology call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills will be important in this major as you work with professors, peers, and patients. Practice active listening and empathy as you interview patients, observe behavior and write accurate reports and papers on your findings. Compassion and understanding is necessary as you encounter people from diverse backgrounds who could suffer from mental disorders. You will be relied on to be trustworthy, approachable and keep information in confidence.
A psychology major involves time spent in the lecture hall, as well as lab work and research. This requires mathematical and science skills. You will need to memorize theories and formulas and use them to solve real-life issues. Logic and analytical skills will help you evaluate data and complete research.
Many programs require students to work at an internship or do fieldwork through participating organizations. Take advantage of any opportunity for experience in the field. This will help you when applying to grad schools or future jobs.
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How long a child development & psychology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 29 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 39 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 20,378 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,923 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,103 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to child development & psychology, at 33.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 33.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 21.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.9% |
| Master’s degree | 11.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
24 occupations are related to Child Development & Psychology, with an average median salary of $91,466; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, at 14.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Teacher, Assistant Professor, Professor and Instructor.
Many graduates continue their education to achieve a Master's or Doctorate in psychology. This can lead to a career as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychology grads also work in schools, research, counseling, or clinical studies. Those interested in child psychology may be interested in becoming a school psychologist or family counselor.
The occupation related to child development & psychology with the most projected jobs is Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | 513,614 | -3.0% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Statisticians | 307,132 | 6.6% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
Child Development & Psychology graduates earn a median $34,806 one year after completing their program, $58,844 after four years and $59,483 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,806 |
| 4 years | $58,844 |
| 5 years | $59,483 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to child development & psychology is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Statisticians | $130,349 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Biostatisticians | $121,594 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
Child Development & Psychology includes 10 concentrations that together award 24,503 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Research and Experimental Psychology, Other (14,964), Experimental Psychology (5,021) and Developmental and Child Psychology (1,864). It has 3 similar majors in the Psychology field, which together award 196,715 degrees a year; the largest are Psychology, General (150,830), Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (43,187) and Psychology, Other (2,698). Browse all Psychology majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Research and Experimental Psychology, Other | 14,964 |
| Experimental Psychology | 5,021 |
| Developmental and Child Psychology | 1,864 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | 1,447 |
| Social Psychology | 458 |
| Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics | 425 |
| Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology | 211 |
| Psychopharmacology | 74 |
| Personality Psychology | 23 |
| Comparative Psychology | 16 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 150,830 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 43,187 |
| Psychology, Other | 2,698 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
