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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Child development Schools in Ohio

1 Colleges in the United States
$21,504 Avg Student Debt
$45,834 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Child development Badge [Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child development students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Child development Schools in Ohio

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Child development Schools

1

Eastern Gateway Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value child development schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Steubenville, Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,225, compared with $6,071 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,642 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Eastern Gateway Community College generally make around $37,052. That is a strong return on a $10,642 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #2 place for child development. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $31,000. Child Development graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $30,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

3

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $19,343. Early-career child development graduates make about $49,736. That is a strong return on a $19,343 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes Franciscan University Of Steubenville one of the best values for child development. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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