2026 Best Value Child development Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, MI

Leading the list is Northwestern Michigan College, our #1 best value for child development in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Students borrow a median of $17,694 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $49,210. Set against $17,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Dupage earned it the #2 place for child development. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $12,492. Early-career child development graduates make about $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Schoolcraft College
Livonia, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Schoolcraft College earned it the #3 place for child development. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Set against $15,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #4 place for child development. 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, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $46,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

5

Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chippewa Valley Technical College earned it the #5 place for child development. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Child Development graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH

Eastern Gateway Community College landed the #6 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,225 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,071. Students borrow a median of $10,642 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Eastern Gateway Community College earn a median of $37,052 early in their careers. Set against $10,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #7 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $31,000. Early-career child development graduates make about $30,835. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

8

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in child development this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Child Development graduates carry a median of $27,209 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $35,318. That is a strong return on a $27,209 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

9

Baker College Of Flint
Owosso, MI

Baker College Of Flint earned the #9 position for value in child development this year. Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Owosso. Students from in state pay about $13,000 in tuition and fees. Child Development graduates carry a median of $33,250 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $29,526. Set against $33,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baker College Of Flint admits about 82% of applicants.

10

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $33,885 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

11

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $29,539. Early-career child development graduates make about $35,209. That is a strong return on a $29,539 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

12

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for child development. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $19,343. Early-career child development graduates make about $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

13

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #13 among the best values for child development. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $31,434. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

14

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #14 for value in child development this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Students borrow a median of $26,797 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.

15

Franciscan University Of Steubenville
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #15 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,100. Child Development graduates carry a median of $25,029 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Franciscan University Of Steubenville earn a median of $43,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.