2027 Best Value Child Advocacy & Policy Schools
[Child Advocacy & Policy](/majors/social-services-public-administration/social-work/child-advocacy-and-policy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child advocacy & policy students.
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Finding the Best Value Child Advocacy & Policy School for You
Where you study child advocacy & policy affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Child Advocacy & Policy Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Child Advocacy & Policy Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Child Advocacy & Policy Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child advocacy & policy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child Advocacy & Policy Schools
For return on investment in child advocacy & policy, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the child advocacy & policy program here. Early-career child advocacy & policy graduates make about $48,403. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #2 place for child advocacy & policy. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates carry a median of $24,100 in student loans. Early-career child advocacy & policy graduates make about $44,249. Set against $24,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in child advocacy & policy will find it at Mt Hood Community College, which ranked #3. Mt Hood Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gresham. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates carry a median of $18,767 in student loans. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates of Mt Hood Community College earn a median of $53,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt.
Capital Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child advocacy & policy, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for child advocacy & policy graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saginaw Valley State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child advocacy & policy, landing the #5 spot this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $45,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Purdue University Global landed the #6 spot for child advocacy & policy value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates carry a median of $53,229 in student loans. Early-career child advocacy & policy graduates make about $38,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value child advocacy & policy schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates carry a median of $17,396 in student loans. Early-career child advocacy & policy graduates make about $65,681. Set against $17,396 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #8 spot for child advocacy & policy value this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the child advocacy & policy program here. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $33,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #9 position for value in child advocacy & policy this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for child advocacy & policy graduates is $28,012. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $55,469. That is a strong return on a $28,012 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of North Alabama placed #10 among the best values for child advocacy & policy. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Early-career child advocacy & policy graduates make about $41,357. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Alaska Anchorage earned the #11 position for value in child advocacy & policy this year. Located in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,738, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Students borrow a median of $31,750 to complete the child advocacy & policy program here. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from University Of Alaska Anchorage generally make around $54,550. Set against $31,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #12 among the best values for child advocacy & policy. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates carry a median of $23,119 in student loans. Early-career child advocacy & policy graduates make about $44,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #13 for value in child advocacy & policy this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child advocacy & policy graduates is $30,533. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,533 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #14 spot for child advocacy & policy value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $23,387 to complete the child advocacy & policy program here. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $44,925. Set against $23,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Grand View University came in at #15 for value in child advocacy & policy this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,762. Students borrow a median of $25,837 to complete the child advocacy & policy program here. Early-career child advocacy & policy graduates make about $40,736. Set against $25,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University earned the #16 position for value in child advocacy & policy this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Early-career child advocacy & policy graduates make about $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #17 for value in child advocacy & policy this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the child advocacy & policy program here. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $52,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value child advocacy & policy schools. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,982 to complete the child advocacy & policy program here. Early-career child advocacy & policy graduates make about $43,037. Set against $26,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Catholic University Of America came in at #19 for value in child advocacy & policy this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the child advocacy & policy program here. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $65,120. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #20 position for value in child advocacy & policy this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the child advocacy & policy program here. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $44,652. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Southeastern University earned the #21 position for value in child advocacy & policy this year. Located in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,950. Students borrow a median of $24,923 to complete the child advocacy & policy program here. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from Southeastern University generally make around $48,071. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Samford University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value child advocacy & policy schools. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child advocacy & policy graduates is $21,039. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from Samford University generally make around $44,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Samford University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Southern California placed #23 among the best values for child advocacy & policy. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Typical student debt for child advocacy & policy graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $78,196. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #24 spot for child advocacy & policy value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Typical student debt for child advocacy & policy graduates is $21,133. Child Advocacy & Policy graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Set against $21,133 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value child advocacy & policy schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child advocacy & policy graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, child advocacy & policy degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $42,142. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
- 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.
