2026 Best Value Child development Master’s Degree Schools

1

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Our analysis ranked Texas Womans University the best value for a degree in child development in the United States. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,170 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $43,090. Set against $24,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

2

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at Eastern Washington University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $19,936. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $28,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

3

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University came in at #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

4

Towson University
Towson, MD

Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at Towson University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Child Development graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $50,370. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

5

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $45,321. Set against $23,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

6

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University came in at #6 for value in child development this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,067. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

7

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield placed #7 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $32,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

8

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #8 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

9

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul placed #9 among the best values for child development. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $30,583 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $45,027 early in their careers. Set against $30,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

10

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University placed #10 among the best values for child development. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $39,096. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

11

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #11 for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $47,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

12

Lee University
Cleveland, TN

Lee University landed the #12 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Child Development graduates carry a median of $26,422 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Lee University earn a median of $38,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

13

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #13 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Child Development graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $30,502. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

14

Erikson Institute
Chicago, IL

Erikson Institute landed the #14 spot for child development value this year. Erikson Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Child Development graduates of Erikson Institute earn a median of $47,889 early in their careers.

15

University Of La Verne
La Verne, CA

University Of La Verne placed #15 among the best values for child development. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,470 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

16

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester came in at #16 for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Child Development graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Child Development graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $60,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.

17

Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University came in at #17 for value in child development this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Nova Southeastern University generally make around $46,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

18

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 61%.

19

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #19 for value in child development this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $16,170. Child Development graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $45,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.