2026 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 73 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value developmental & child psychology schools.
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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
University Of Maryland College Park tops our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools in the United States. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #2 place for developmental & child psychology. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $44,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for developmental & child psychology. 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. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $49,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for developmental & child psychology. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $31,027 early in their careers. Set against $20,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in developmental & child psychology will find it at Ball State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $47,863. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #6 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. 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. 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. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Bay Path College landed the #7 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $29,401 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #8 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $51,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #9 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Capella University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $45,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #11 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,199 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Walden University placed #13 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,067. Students borrow a median of $49,361 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Walden University generally make around $46,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Rochester ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value developmental & child psychology schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Northcentral University landed the #15 spot for developmental & child psychology value 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. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $42,500 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Northcentral University earn a median of $62,828 early in their careers. Set against $42,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pace University New York came in at #16 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. 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.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,806. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cornell University came in at #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Lehigh University placed #19 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. 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. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $23,008. Early-career developmental & child psychology graduates make about $70,321. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Duquesne University earned the #20 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,986. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $26,297. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $54,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
New York University placed #21 among the best values for developmental & child psychology. 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. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $21,499. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from New York University generally make around $48,960. Set against $21,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Boston College earned the #22 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Soon after graduation, developmental & child psychology degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $66,132. That is a strong return on a $18,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Fordham University landed the #23 spot for developmental & child psychology value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. Typical student debt for developmental & child psychology graduates is $25,643. 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 earned the #24 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,780. Students borrow a median of $32,107 to complete the developmental & child psychology program here. Developmental & Child Psychology graduates of The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles earn a median of $66,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Teachers College At Columbia University earned the #25 position for value in developmental & child psychology this year. Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. 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), 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 12 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.
