by our College Data Analytics Team
[Child Development Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the early-career earnings of their child development psychology graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose child development psychology graduates go on to earn the most.
Lindsey Wilson College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Columbia, Lindsey Wilson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Child Development Psychology graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of about $44,721 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the highest-paying schools for child development psychology. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Child Development Psychology graduates of Duke University earn a median of about $39,359 a year early in their careers.
Georgia College And State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a public institution. After graduating, child development psychology degree recipients from Georgia College And State University typically earn about $49,089 annually.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Carolina Columbia one of the highest-paying schools for child development psychology. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. Early-career child development psychology graduates from University Of South Carolina Columbia make a median of around $48,055 per year.
Eckerd College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Set in the city of Saint Petersburg, Eckerd College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the child development psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,075.
University Of North Georgia came in at #6 for child development psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a public institution. Students who complete the child development psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,685.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #7 spot for child development psychology salaries this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Child Development Psychology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of about $47,985 a year early in their careers.
Savannah State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a public institution. Early-career child development psychology graduates from Savannah State University make a median of around $39,215 per year.
University Of North Florida ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a public institution. Students who complete the child development psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $30,816.
Murray State University earned the #10 position for child development psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a public institution. Early-career child development psychology graduates from Murray State University make a median of around $41,388 per year.
University Of North Alabama earned the #11 position for child development psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a public institution. Early-career child development psychology graduates from University Of North Alabama make a median of around $20,182 per year.
William Carey University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for child development psychology. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, William Carey University is a private not-for-profit institution. Child Development Psychology graduates of William Carey University earn a median of about $40,427 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their child development psychology graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 12 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.