2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Child Development & Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong child development & psychology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 47 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 Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development & psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools
For return on investment in child development & psychology, no school beat Purdue University Main Campus this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $19,500. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $31,172. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for child development & psychology. 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, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $18,708. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $52,349. Set against $18,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Ohio State University Marion Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public school located in the town of Marion. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,201 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $34,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, 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. Set against $20,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at Jackson Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Ohio State University Lima Campus landed the #6 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,414 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $34,153. That is a strong return on a $22,414 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,050 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $33,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Ohio State University Newark Campus earned the #8 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $22,401. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Ohio State University Newark Campus earn a median of $45,282 early in their careers. Set against $22,401 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #9 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $31,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #10 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $46,561. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for value in child development & psychology this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo earned the #13 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $52,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Ohio State University Mansfield Campus came in at #14 for value in child development & psychology this year. Ohio State University Mansfield Campus is a small public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Students borrow a median of $22,011 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $39,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $91,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College came in at #16 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $23,906. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #17 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Illinois Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,315 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #19 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Wabash College landed the #20 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $40,138. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Tiffin University came in at #21 for value in child development & psychology this year. Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,790. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $51,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Earlham College earned the #22 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Earlham College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,930. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $43,038. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The College Of Wooster placed #23 among the best values for child development & psychology. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,640. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,936 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $32,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of Wooster admits about 60% of applicants.
Northwestern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Knox College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,903. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $27,822. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Knox College admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in child development & psychology:
Narrow Child Development & Psychology Schools by State
More Child Development & Psychology Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
