2026 Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology Schools
[Developmental & Child Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/developmental-and-child-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 73 schools to find the best return on investment for developmental & child psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology School for You
The developmental & child psychology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in developmental & child psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology Schools
For return on investment in developmental & child psychology, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $23,420. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
West Virginia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in developmental & child psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in developmental & child psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $25,967. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #5 place for developmental & child psychology. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $25,286. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,938 in student loans. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $33,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #7 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $31,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #8 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $14,507. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $49,035. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #9 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $39,955 early in their careers. Set against $26,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Ball State University placed #10 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #11 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $43,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Vanderbilt University placed #12 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $13,975. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #13 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $26,236. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah State University landed the #14 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $33,450. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $27,763. That is a strong return on a $33,450 median debt.
Bay Path College came in at #15 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. In-state tuition and fees average $38,302. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $29,401. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $23,898. Set against $29,401 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.
Western Washington University placed #16 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #17 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #18 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $53,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Capella University earned the #19 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $45,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan State University placed #20 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,840. Students borrow a median of $28,375 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $36,600. Set against $28,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Connecticut earned the #21 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $23,199. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Utica College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $26,000. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $31,695. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #23 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $24,958. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $56,926. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Rochester ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $39,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Pace University New York landed the #25 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $59,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,670 median debt. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in developmental & child psychology:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Developmental & Child Psychology. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
