by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Child Development explores Child Development. A Program That Focuses On The Intellectual, Social, Emotional, And Biological Development Of Children And The Planning And Design Of Related Human Services. Includes Instruction In Parent-Child Relations, Parenting Practices, Special Needs Of Children, Parental And Environmental Influences On Child Development, External Support Services, And Related Public Policy Issues. Read on to learn the essential details every child development student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering child development programs.
Across the country, child development is a widely-pursued major, with 4,599 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Child Development Schools ranking analyzes these 221 schools to determine the best overall colleges for child development students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of child development programs later in this article.
Coursework for Child Development develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations child development graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a child development program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a child development major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several child development degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 327 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 821 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,715 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,665 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
People currently working in careers related to child development tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 26.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 15.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 12.6% |
| Some college courses | 7.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in child development careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying child development can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to child development.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to child development.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Farm and Home Management Educators | 1,304,119 | 14.0% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,267,153 | 0.4% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,058,186 | 6.4% |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | 656,798 | 9.5% |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | 520,090 | 9.8% |
| Childcare Workers | 438,372 | 10.8% |
| Nannies | 287,752 | 6.8% |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | 216,013 | 8.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of child development graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,243 |
| 4 years | $38,875 |
| 5 years | $44,531 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for child development graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers child development grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,604 |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | $96,801 |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | $89,337 |
| Neuropsychologists | $83,690 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $73,521 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,776 |
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | $57,643 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $55,950 |
With 221 different child development programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased child development school rankings to help you.
Students interested in child development, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Child Care Provider/Assistant | 22,533 |
| Human Development and Family Studies, General | 8,444 |
| Child Care and Support Services Management | 3,901 |
| Family and Community Services | 1,267 |
| Family Systems | 765 |
| Early Childhood and Family Studies | 439 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other | 429 |
| Adult Development and Aging | 238 |
| Parent Education Services | 126 |
| Developmental Services Worker | 59 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
