2026 Best Value Child development Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for child development in the United States. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,149. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

2

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

A rank of #2 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for child development. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Child Development graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $30,205 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

4

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $12,250. Early-career child development graduates make about $21,619. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

5

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas At Dallas earned it the #5 place for child development. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #6 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $23,439. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University earned the #7 position for value in child development this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $24,170. Early-career child development graduates make about $30,619. That is a strong return on a $24,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

8

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $18,792. Child Development graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $35,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Child Development graduates carry a median of $36,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $34,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #10 spot for child development value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $36,743. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

11

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $37,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.

12

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #12 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $23,334 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $32,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

13

Cameron University
Lawton, OK

Cameron University placed #13 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,095, with out-of-state students paying around $16,515. Students borrow a median of $23,967 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $43,122. That is a strong return on a $23,967 median debt.

14

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University came in at #14 for value in child development this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $19,129. Child Development graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $34,928 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

15

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University placed #15 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $25,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $32,306. Set against $25,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

16

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,466 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $31,392. That is a strong return on a $23,466 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

17

Texas A And M University San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #17 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.

18

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University earned the #18 position for value in child development this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Students borrow a median of $19,936 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $28,589. That is a strong return on a $19,936 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

19

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University came in at #19 for value in child development this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $39,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

20

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University came in at #20 for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $24,549. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $32,957. Set against $24,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.

21

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $27,701 in student loans. Child Development graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

22

Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University landed the #22 spot for child development value this year. Set in the rural area of Alcorn State, Alcorn State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,785. Students borrow a median of $31,822 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $37,028. Set against $31,822 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

23

Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College earned the #23 position for value in child development this year. Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,506. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,584 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #24 for value in child development this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,858 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,243 early in their careers. Set against $23,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

25

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,209 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $35,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.