[Child Development & Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-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 198 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value child development & psychology schools.
Finding the Best Value Child Development & Psychology School for You
The right child development & psychology school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among child development & psychology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $47,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $10,492. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $26,697. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of California Merced earned the #6 position for value in child development & psychology this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #7 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $49,716 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,020 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California San Diego came in at #8 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $23,420. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #9 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $18,708. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $52,349. That is a strong return on a $18,708 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,737 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $27,748. That is a strong return on a $16,737 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Florida International University came in at #11 for value in child development & psychology this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #12 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $12,111. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $34,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Georgia placed #13 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Wyoming landed the #14 spot for child development & psychology value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $49,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $29,830. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #16 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,754 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $34,715. Set against $15,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University earned the #17 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #18 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,384 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $23,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #19 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $30,816. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of California Davis placed #20 among the best values for child development & psychology. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,219 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $32,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
American Public University System landed the #22 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $23,438 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bowdoin College came in at #23 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $58,938. Set against $20,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago earned the #24 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $17,500. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $31,986 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Macomb Community College earned the #25 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for child development & psychology this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 198 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 198 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).
[Child Development & Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
