2026 Best Value Child development Schools

1

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Fresno City College tops our 2026 list of the best value child development schools in the United States. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #2 spot this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

A rank of #3 makes South Texas College one of the best values for child development. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $19,971. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Valdosta, GA

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #6 spot for child development value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino landed the #7 spot for child development value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College earned the #8 position for value in child development this year. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Child Development graduates carry a median of $7,995 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

College Of The Redwoods
Eureka, CA

College Of The Redwoods landed the #9 spot for child development value this year. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $8,852. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $20,000. Early-career child development graduates make about $98,703. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.

10

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College came in at #10 for value in child development this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $9,490. Child Development graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Dyersburg State Community College
Dyersburg, TN

Dyersburg State Community College landed the #11 spot for child development value this year. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,758, while out-of-state students pay about $18,060. Students borrow a median of $10,611 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Dyersburg State Community College generally make around $41,177. That is a strong return on a $10,611 median debt.

12

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College placed #12 among the best values for child development. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.

13

Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College came in at #13 for value in child development this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,128, compared with $8,208 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $8,729. Child Development graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College landed the #14 spot for child development value this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $13,302. Child Development graduates of Butte College earn a median of $67,048 early in their careers. Set against $13,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Woodland Community College
Woodland, CA

Woodland Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, compared with $7,656 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,042 ten years after entry.

16

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Wayne Community College earned the #16 position for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $5,500. Early-career child development graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC

Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #17 spot for child development value this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Child Development graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $34,351 early in their careers. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Mission College
Santa Clara, CA

Mission College earned the #18 position for value in child development this year. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Child Development graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.

19

Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College earned the #19 position for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,476. Early-career child development graduates make about $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City Community College placed #20 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $13,919. Early-career child development graduates make about $39,848. That is a strong return on a $13,919 median debt.

21

West Virginia University At Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV

West Virginia University At Parkersburg ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Parkersburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,476, with out-of-state students paying around $9,424. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,595 in student loans. Child Development graduates of West Virginia University At Parkersburg earn a median of $45,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,595 median debt.

22

Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community College landed the #22 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,287 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $33,103 early in their careers. Set against $15,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Haywood Community College
Clyde, NC

Haywood Community College placed #23 among the best values for child development. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $35,767.

24

Saint Louis Community College
Bridgeton, MO

Saint Louis Community College earned the #24 position for value in child development this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,424. Child Development graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $26,593 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.

25

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Child Development graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.