2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Child Development & Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 329 schools to find the best return on investment for child development & psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development & psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools
Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Princeton University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $10,888. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $47,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #3 place for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $24,323. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $23,420. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #5 place for child development & psychology. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $13,000. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $29,830 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California Merced placed #6 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $18,318. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #7 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #8 for value in child development & psychology this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $34,431. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #9 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,754 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $34,715 early in their careers. Set against $15,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of North Florida landed the #10 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #11 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,737 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $27,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
American Public University System came in at #12 for value in child development & psychology 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. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $23,438. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #13 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $18,384. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $23,981. Set against $18,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #14 among the best values for child development & psychology. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,314 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $39,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $31,172. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #16 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,708 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,568 early in their careers. Set against $18,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of California Davis placed #17 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,219 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Murray State University came in at #18 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $23,674. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio State University Marion Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,201 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Ohio State University Marion Campus earn a median of $34,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,201 median debt.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #20 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $12,184. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. 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. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $20,836. Child Development & 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. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Williams College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $12,615. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $53,652. That is a strong return on a $12,615 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #23 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $20,487. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $32,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of California Riverside earned the #24 position for value in child development & psychology this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $18,500. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $25,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Ohio State University Lima Campus earned the #25 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Lima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $22,414. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Ohio State University Lima Campus generally make around $34,153. Set against $22,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for child development & psychology this year:
Other Child Development & Psychology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Child Development & Psychology rankings across degree levels:
View All Child Development & 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 · 329 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 115 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.
