2027 Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Child Development & Psychology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 160 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for child development & psychology students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Child Development & Psychology in the United States
These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in child development & psychology, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Child Development & Psychology
No school ranked higher than Ohio State University Main Campus this year for child development & psychology. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 605 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $91,275 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,053.
See the full child development & psychology program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for child development & psychology. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 71 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
See the full child development & psychology program report for Stanford University
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child development & psychology, ranking #3. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 47 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
See the full child development & psychology program report for Northwestern University
A rank of #4 makes Cornell University one of the top schools for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 110 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Cornell University earn around $75,976 in the first couple years of their career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans.
See the full child development & psychology program report for Cornell University
Tufts University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child development & psychology, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Tufts University awarded about 82 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Tufts University earn around $56,504 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete this degree.
Get the full child development & psychology details for Tufts University
Dartmouth College earned the #6 position for child development & psychology this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. Dartmouth College awarded about 56 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Dartmouth College earn around $42,947 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,194.
See the full child development & psychology program report for Dartmouth College
Bates College came in at #7 for child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 53 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Bates College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Bates College earn around $47,376 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750.
Read more about the child development & psychology program at Bates College
Drexel University earned the #8 position for child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 85 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $67,556 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Drexel University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 146 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $44,542 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans.
Get the full child development & psychology details for University Of Pennsylvania
Lafayette College landed the #10 spot for child development & psychology this year. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. About 88% of students finish within six years. Lafayette College awarded about 62 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $59,513 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,931 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Lafayette College
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #11 for child development & psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 768 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $34,431 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full child development & psychology details for University Of California Santa Barbara
Vanderbilt University landed the #12 spot for child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 46 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Vanderbilt University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #13 among the best child development & psychology schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 546 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
The University Of Tennessee landed the #14 spot for child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 365 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans.
Get the full child development & psychology details for The University Of Tennessee
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #15 spot for child development & psychology this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 62 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
Get the full child development & psychology details for University Of Maryland College Park
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. About 56 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323.
More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Rochester landed the #17 spot for child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. About 195 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Rochester in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from University Of Rochester earn around $39,732 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree.
See the full child development & psychology program report for University Of Rochester
Harvard University came in at #18 for child development & psychology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. About 98% of students finish within six years. Harvard University awarded about 101 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $41,501 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Harvard University
Middlebury College landed the #19 spot for child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Middlebury College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 56 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Middlebury College in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Middlebury College earn around $54,713 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,948 to complete this degree.
See the full child development & psychology program report for Middlebury College
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #20 spot for child development & psychology this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 742 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $31,568 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $18,708 in student loans.
See the full child development & psychology program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best child development & psychology schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 26 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $69,126 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree.
Get the full child development & psychology details for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Trinity College came in at #22 for child development & psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Hartford. Trinity College graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Trinity College in the most recent data year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Trinity College earn a median of $52,927 early in their careers. Trinity College graduates carry a median of $23,667 in student loans.
Get the full child development & psychology details for Trinity College
Brown University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best child development & psychology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 63 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $39,493 in their early career. Brown University graduates carry a median of $15,110 in student loans.
See the full child development & psychology program report for Brown University
University Of Richmond earned the #24 position for child development & psychology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of University of Richmond. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Richmond awarded about 45 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $53,815 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,634.
Read more about the child development & psychology program at University Of Richmond
University Of California Davis ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best child development & psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 903 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $32,301 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,219 to complete this degree.
Get the full child development & psychology details for University Of California Davis
Rest of the Top 50 Child Development & Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong child development & psychology education:
Honorable Mentions
Also worth considering for child development & psychology:
Other Child Development & Psychology Degree Levels
Explore the best child development & psychology schools at other degree levels:
View All Child Development & Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 160 schools evaluated.
- 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.