2027 Best Value Developmental & Child Psychology Master’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.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value developmental & child psychology schools.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked University Of California San Diego the best value for a degree in developmental & child psychology in the United States. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in developmental & child psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $20,836. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in developmental & child psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $13,975. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Ball State University one of the best values for developmental & child psychology. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. 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%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #6 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $20,625. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $31,027. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #7 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. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $49,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #8 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $51,067. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #9 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $64,891. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Capella University placed #10 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Capella University earn a median of $45,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #11 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Connecticut placed #12 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $23,199. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $58,784. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Cornell University came in at #13 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $46,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Northcentral University earned the #15 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Northcentral University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,594. Students borrow a median of $42,500 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $62,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pace University New York placed #16 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,510. Students borrow a median of $25,656 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $59,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Walden University came in at #17 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,067. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $49,361 in student loans. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $46,371. Set against $49,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh University came in at #18 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University earned the #19 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. 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. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
New York University earned the #20 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $21,499. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of New York University earn a median of $48,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,499 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University earned the #21 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $26,297. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $54,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,297 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $66,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Fordham University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $57,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles came in at #24 for value in developmental & child psychology this year. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $21,780. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $32,107. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $66,047. That is a strong return on a $32,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $54,852.
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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.