2026 Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology Bachelor’s Degree 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:
2026 Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the developmental & child psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology Schools
Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for developmental & child psychology in the United States. 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. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $23,420 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #2 place for developmental & child psychology. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in developmental & child psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $19,938. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $33,455. That is a strong return on a $19,938 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $20,625. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $31,027 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Metropolitan State College Of Denver one of the best values for developmental & child psychology. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $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%.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #6 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $14,507. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $49,035 early in their careers. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #7 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $35,982. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #8 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Savannah State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $33,450. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $27,763. Set against $33,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Washington University placed #10 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. Set against $20,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #11 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Bay Path College landed the #12 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,302. Students borrow a median of $29,401 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $23,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $53,156. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Metropolitan State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $36,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut earned the #15 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $23,199. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Utica College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,930. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Utica College earn a median of $31,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #17 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Rochester placed #18 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $39,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Pace University New York came in at #19 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $25,670. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $59,662. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #20 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #21 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $36,603 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University landed the #22 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Texas Christian University came in at #23 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $21,500. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Eckerd College earned the #24 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the city of Saint Petersburg, Eckerd College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,884 in tuition and fees. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,980 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Eckerd College earn a median of $31,596 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
New York University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,499 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $37,512. Set against $21,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Other Developmental & Child Psychology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Developmental & Child Psychology rankings across degree levels:
View All Developmental & Child Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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 14 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.
