2023 Most Popular Colleges for Child Development & Psychology in California
29
Ranked Colleges
4,035
Degrees Awarded
$36,300
Avg Cost*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California” ranking.
Child Development & Psychology is the 57th most popular major in the country with 17,542 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, child development and psychology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,186 and had an average of $22,623 in loans still to pay off.
Across California, there were 4,035 child development and psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,767 and $17,012 respectively.
This year’s “Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in child development and psychology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular child development and psychology programs in the United States.
Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California
The colleges and universities below are the best for california child development students.
Top 29 Most Popular Colleges for Child Development & Psychology in California
Out of the 29 schools in the Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Davis landed the #1 spot on the list. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 879 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at UC Davis
Out of the 29 schools in the Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #2 spot on the list. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 800 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UC Irvine Child Development & Psychology Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Riverside. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California. University of California - Riverside is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 624 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at UCR
Out of the 29 schools in the Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #4 spot on the list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s child development degrees to 578 students in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at University of California - Santa Barbara
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s child development degrees to 432 students in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Full University of California - Los Angeles Child Development & Psychology Report
University of California - Berkeley ranked #6 on this year’s Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. University of California - Berkeley is a large public school situated in Berkeley, California. It awarded 326 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Berkeley Child Development & Psychology Report
University of California - San Diego ranked #7 on this year’s Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s child development degrees to 85 students in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at University of California - San Diego
With a ranking of #8, Stanford University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 63 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Child Development & Psychology at Stanford
Northcentral University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. This fairly large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 38 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Northcentral University
Claremont McKenna College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking. This small school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 38 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Claremont McKenna Child Development & Psychology Report
Scripps College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking, coming in at #11. Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California. It awarded 32 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Scripps College
Pitzer College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking, coming in at #12. Claremont, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s child development degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Child Development & Psychology at Pitzer
Pomona College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. Pomona College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Pomona College
University of Southern California landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking. University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Child Development & Psychology at University of Southern California
With a ranking of #14, Saint Mary’s College of California did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. This small school is located in Moraga, California, and it awarded 9 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Saint Mary’s College of California
With a ranking of #16, California Institute of Integral Studies did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. This small school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 8 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies
Alliant International University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking. Alliant is located in San Diego, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Child Development & Psychology at Alliant International University
With a ranking of #17, Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Child Development & Psychology at MSMU
California State University - Northridge landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full California State University - Northridge Child Development & Psychology Report
Azusa Pacific University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking. Azusa Pacific University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Azusa, California. It awarded 3 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Azusa Pacific Child Development & Psychology Report
California State University - San Bernardino ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at CSUSB
Mills College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking. Mills is located in Oakland, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Child Development & Psychology at Mills College
Brandman University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking. Brandman is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 1 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Brandman University Child Development & Psychology Report
Chapman University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking, coming in at #23. This medium-sized school is located in Orange, California, and it awarded 1 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Child Development & Psychology at Chapman University
Loma Linda University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking. Located in Loma Linda, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 0 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Loma Linda University Child Development & Psychology Report
La Sierra University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. La Sierra is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 0 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Child Development & Psychology at La Sierra University
University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 0 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at University of California - Santa Cruz
Holy Names University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California ranking. Oakland, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s child development degrees to 0 students in 2020-2021.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Holy Names University
With a ranking of #25, Meridian University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Child Development Major in California list. Meridian University is located in Petaluma, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 0 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.
Read more about Child Development & Psychology at Meridian University
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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