by our College Data Analytics Team
[Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for child development students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Fresno City College tops our 2026 list of the best value child development schools in California. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Child Development graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
College Of The Redwoods came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $20,000. Child Development graduates of College Of The Redwoods earn a median of $98,703 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the child development program here. 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.
A rank of #5 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for child development. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Butte College landed the #6 spot for child development value this year. Set in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,302 to complete the child development program here. 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.
Yuba College earned the #7 position for value in child development this year. Located in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,128 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,208. Child Development graduates carry a median of $8,729 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $89,816. That is a strong return on a $8,729 median debt.
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Mission College placed #8 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the child development program here. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
Woodland Community College landed the #9 spot for child development value this year. Located in the suburb of Woodland, Woodland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,656. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,042 ten years after entry.
California State University Fresno placed #10 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $49,502. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cuyamaca College landed the #11 spot for child development value this year. Cuyamaca College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,314. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,435.
Miracosta College came in at #12 for value in child development this year. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,158, compared with $9,750 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
Foothill College landed the #13 spot for child development value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,595. Child Development graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach came in at #14 for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,000. Child Development graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $30,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
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San Bernardino Valley College placed #15 among the best values for child development. San Bernardino Valley College is a large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $69,642. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Humboldt State University landed the #16 spot for child development value this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $19,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Cabrillo College landed the #17 spot for child development value this year. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,270, with out-of-state students paying around $9,862. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,425. Child Development graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Fresno Pacific University placed #18 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Child Development graduates carry a median of $24,549 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $32,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,549 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Merritt College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of Oakland, Merritt College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,898. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,392. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashford University placed #20 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Child Development graduates carry a median of $36,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $36,944. That is a strong return on a $36,000 median debt.
University Of La Verne ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,470. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $26,000. Child Development graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of La Verne admits about 71% of applicants.
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Whittier College came in at #22 for value in child development this year. Located in the suburb of Whittier, Whittier College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,350. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Whittier College generally make around $33,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Point Loma Nazarene University landed the #23 spot for child development value this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,250. Child Development graduates carry a median of $16,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $27,037. That is a strong return on a $16,300 median debt. Point Loma Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.
Santa Clara University earned the #24 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Child Development graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $79,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.