2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Southwest Region
[Child Development & Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value child development & psychology schools.
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2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Southwest 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
Our analysis ranked New Mexico State University Main Campus the best value for a degree in child development & psychology in the Southwest Region. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at Northeastern State University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,029 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $32,440. That is a strong return on a $25,029 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $28,494. That is a strong return on a $21,325 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $43,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #6 for value in child development & psychology this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,659 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $41,789 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #7 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #8 for value in child development & psychology this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $20,031. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Trinity University earned the #9 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,676. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,892 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $57,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Letourneau University placed #10 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Longview, Letourneau University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,160. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $32,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Letourneau University generally make around $53,569. Set against $32,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Texas Christian University landed the #11 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
