2027 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Child Development & Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong child development & psychology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for child development & psychology students.
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2027 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development & psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools
Leading the list is Fort Hays State University, our #1 best value for child development & psychology in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $25,967. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $49,775. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for child development & psychology. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $39,434. That is a strong return on a $22,241 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $15,866. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. That is a strong return on a $15,866 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for child development & psychology. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,810 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $34,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $20,625. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $31,027 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,625 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned the #6 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $46,744. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Cottey College earned the #7 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,562. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $35,422 ten years out. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cottey College admits about 69% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $59,052. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #9 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,540 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $35,556. That is a strong return on a $25,540 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Kansas placed #10 among the best values for child development & psychology. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $23,608. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Grinnell College earned the #11 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. Students borrow a median of $17,702 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $28,507. Set against $17,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
Capella University landed the #12 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $35,998. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $45,399. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Kansas State University placed #14 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $20,035 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $36,257. Set against $20,035 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #15 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $15,450. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $37,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Park University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $22,660. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Park University generally make around $40,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #17 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $67,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Luther College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $26,967. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $42,426. That is a strong return on a $26,967 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College earned the #19 position for value in child development & psychology this year. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $25,000. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $35,070. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Carleton College came in at #20 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $39,238. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University earned the #21 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $25,292. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $26,845. That is a strong return on a $25,292 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Macalester College placed #22 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,104. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $38,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Walden University came in at #23 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,067. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $49,361 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Walden University earn a median of $46,371 early in their careers. Set against $49,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
