2027 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Child Development & Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong child development & psychology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value child development & psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among child development & psychology schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for child development & psychology. 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. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $47,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $25,286. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at University Of Delaware, which ranked #5. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,786 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $31,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #6 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $14,507. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $49,035. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
Niagara University came in at #7 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,623 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. Set against $26,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
St Francis College landed the #8 spot for child development & psychology value this year. St Francis College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,775. Students borrow a median of $24,966 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from St Francis College generally make around $40,678. Set against $24,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canisius College landed the #9 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,200. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $25,250. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $29,333 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Canisius College admits about 72% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #10 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $33,330. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #11 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $53,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Utica College landed the #12 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,930 in tuition and fees. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Utica College earn a median of $31,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Abington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington earn a median of $34,375 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #14 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $58,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
New York Institute Of Technology placed #15 among the best values for child development & psychology. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. Students from in state pay about $46,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,435 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $61,734 early in their careers. Set against $25,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Swarthmore College earned the #16 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Centenary College came in at #17 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,732. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,358 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $27,933. That is a strong return on a $25,358 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University landed the #18 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Haverford College earned the #19 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,125 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $45,674. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Temple University came in at #21 for value in child development & psychology this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,642. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Colgate University placed #22 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,306. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $41,883 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Mount St Marys University placed #23 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $21,500. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Mount St Marys University earn a median of $34,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College landed the #24 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,888. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $44,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Rochester ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $39,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 42 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
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.