by our College Data Analytics Team
[Child Development Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The highest-paying schools turn a child development psychology degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find where child development psychology graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send child development psychology graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid child development psychology graduates in the The Plains States Region. Northwest Missouri State University is a public school located in the town of Maryville. Child Development Psychology graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of about $49,298 a year early in their careers.
Park University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, child development psychology degree recipients from Park University typically earn about $39,885 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in child development psychology will find them at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Early-career child development psychology graduates from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities make a median of around $51,801 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in child development psychology will find them at Carleton College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, child development psychology degree recipients from Carleton College typically earn about $39,238 annually.
Macalester College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in child development psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a private not-for-profit institution. Child Development Psychology graduates of Macalester College earn a median of about $38,027 a year early in their careers.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Child Development Psychology graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of about $37,377 a year early in their careers.
Metropolitan State University earned the #7 position for child development psychology graduate earnings this year. Metropolitan State University is a public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Early-career child development psychology graduates from Metropolitan State University make a median of around $36,600 per year.
Kansas State University earned the #8 position for child development psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a public institution. After graduating, child development psychology degree recipients from Kansas State University typically earn about $36,257 annually.
Capella University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a private for-profit institution. Child Development Psychology graduates of Capella University earn a median of about $48,770 a year early in their careers.
St Olaf College came in at #10 for child development psychology graduate earnings this year. St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Students who complete the child development psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,070.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. Early-career child development psychology graduates from University Of Central Missouri make a median of around $34,822 per year.
Walden University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career child development psychology graduates from Walden University make a median of around $46,371 per year.
Grinnell College landed the #13 spot for child development psychology salaries this year. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit institution. Child Development Psychology graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of about $28,507 a year early in their careers.
Creighton University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, child development psychology degree recipients from Creighton University typically earn about $26,845 annually.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries child development psychology graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 14 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.