2026 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 72 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 Middle Atlantic 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 Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Princeton University earned it the #2 place for child development & psychology. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $47,050. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $14,507. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $49,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $44,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware earned the #6 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Swarthmore College came in at #8 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $19,500. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Canisius College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,200. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $29,333. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $20,500. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $53,156. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #11 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Niagara University came in at #12 for value in child development & psychology this year. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $26,623. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $51,918. Set against $26,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
New York Institute Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the rural area of Old Westbury, New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,560. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Centenary College came in at #14 for value in child development & psychology this year. Centenary College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hackettstown. Students from in state pay about $37,732 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $25,358. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Centenary College generally make around $27,933. That is a strong return on a $25,358 median debt. Centenary College admits about 83% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #15 among the best values for child development & psychology. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $25,120. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $58,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
St Francis College landed the #16 spot for child development & psychology value this year. St Francis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,775. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $24,966. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $40,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haverford College placed #17 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Utica College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Utica College generally make around $31,695. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mount St Marys University landed the #19 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Set in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,630. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Mount St Marys University earn a median of $34,454 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Colgate University placed #20 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,306 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $41,883 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Hamilton College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Students from in state pay about $68,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,450 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $39,880. That is a strong return on a $17,450 median debt. Hamilton College admits about 14% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. Set against $32,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #23 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Temple University landed the #24 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Temple University earn a median of $54,642 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Rochester placed #25 among the best values for child development & psychology. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. 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. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $39,732. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 43 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. 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
