2026 Best Value Child development Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

Leading the list is Fresno City College, our #1 best value for child development in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.

2

Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA

Mt San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Child Development graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. 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

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $15,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

4

College Of The Redwoods
Eureka, CA

A rank of #4 makes College Of The Redwoods one of the best values for child development. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $98,703. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.

5

Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Victor Valley College earned it the #5 place for child development. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $7,995. Child Development graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Mission College
Santa Clara, CA

Mission College placed #6 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $17,223. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,936 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Butte College
Oroville, CA

Butte College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, with out-of-state students paying around $9,276. Child Development graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Child Development graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. 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.

9

Woodland Community College
Woodland, CA

Woodland Community College earned the #9 position for value in child development this year. Set in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.

10

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno landed the #10 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

11

Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College landed the #11 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $7,410. Child Development graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $44,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,056 median debt.

12

Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA

Miracosta College earned the #12 position for value in child development this year. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,158, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.

13

Cuyamaca College
El Cajon, CA

Cuyamaca College came in at #13 for value in child development this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Cuyamaca College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,314 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,435 ten years after entry.

14

Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College came in at #14 for value in child development this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,595. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $30,205. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

16

Lane Community College
Eugene, OR

Lane Community College earned the #16 position for value in child development this year. Lane Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $6,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,078. Child Development graduates carry a median of $18,373 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Lane Community College earn a median of $60,759 early in their careers. Set against $18,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino Valley College landed the #17 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Child Development graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $69,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Whatcom Community College
Bellingham, WA

Whatcom Community College placed #18 among the best values for child development. Whatcom Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,296, with out-of-state students paying around $11,435. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $16,588. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Whatcom Community College generally make around $51,466. Set against $16,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #19 among the best values for child development. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $23,439. Early-career child development graduates make about $50,963. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.

20

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,334 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $44,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

21

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University came in at #21 for value in child development this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $19,936. Child Development graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $28,589 early in their careers. Set against $19,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

22

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University came in at #22 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. Early-career child development graduates make about $34,928. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

23

Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA

Cabrillo College came in at #23 for value in child development this year. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,862. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $47,750. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

University Of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK

University Of Alaska Anchorage ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,738, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $21,787. Child Development graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of $59,053 early in their careers. Set against $21,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $24,019 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $39,880. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.