2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the child development & psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for child development & psychology in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #2 place for child development & psychology. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $16,750. Child Development & Psychology graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $26,697 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $23,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of California Merced came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $29,830. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
San Francisco State University came in at #6 for value in child development & psychology this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $50,955. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,754 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $34,715. That is a strong return on a $15,754 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #8 spot for child development & psychology value this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $34,431. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Eastern Washington University landed the #9 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,938 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $33,455. That is a strong return on a $19,938 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #10 among the best values for child development & psychology. 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, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $16,737. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $27,748. That is a strong return on a $16,737 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside earned the #11 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $25,654. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Davis placed #12 among the best values for child development & psychology. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. 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. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley placed #13 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $12,111 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $34,450. That is a strong return on a $12,111 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #14 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $19,918. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $69,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Western Washington University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $41,118. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pomona College came in at #16 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,420. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $75,954. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants.
University Of Oregon landed the #17 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $44,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Claremont Mckenna College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. In-state tuition and fees average $67,980. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $66,028. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
The Evergreen State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Olympia, The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,264, while out-of-state students pay about $31,905. Students borrow a median of $21,850 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $26,942. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Evergreen State College admits about 96% of applicants.
Pitzer College placed #20 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pitzer College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,192. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $40,668. That is a strong return on a $18,125 median debt. Pitzer College admits about 25% of applicants.
University Of Southern California came in at #21 for value in child development & psychology this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Whitman College placed #22 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,050. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $32,345 early in their careers. Set against $17,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Scripps College came in at #23 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,950 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $77,539. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Occidental College placed #24 among the best values for child development & psychology. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,274. Students borrow a median of $22,967 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Occidental College generally make around $41,514. Set against $22,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Reed College came in at #25 for value in child development & psychology this year. Reed College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,350. Students borrow a median of $21,137 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $30,588. Set against $21,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 25% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
[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.
