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 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their child development psychology graduates.
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Below are the schools whose child development psychology graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for highest-paid child development psychology graduates in Minnesota. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school located in the city of Minneapolis. After graduating, child development psychology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities typically earn about $51,801 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Carleton College earned it the #2 place for child development psychology. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career child development psychology graduates from Carleton College make a median of around $39,238 per year.
Macalester College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in child development psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Macalester College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Early-career child development psychology graduates from Macalester College make a median of around $38,027 per year.
Metropolitan State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying child development psychology schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a public institution. Child Development Psychology graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $36,600 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in child development psychology will find them at Capella University, which ranked #5. Set 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 earned the #6 position for child development psychology graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. Child Development Psychology graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of about $35,070 a year early in their careers.
Walden University came in at #7 for child development psychology graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the child development psychology program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,371.
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 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.