2026 Best Value Child development Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #1 spot for value among child development schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Child Development graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Valdosta, GA

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Child Development graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.

3

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $9,490. Early-career child development graduates make about $37,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

West Virginia University At Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV

Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at West Virginia University At Parkersburg, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,476 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,595 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from West Virginia University At Parkersburg generally make around $45,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Dyersburg State Community College
Dyersburg, TN

Dyersburg State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,611 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College landed the #6 spot for child development value this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.

7

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Wayne Community College came in at #7 for value in child development this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Haywood Community College
Clyde, NC

Haywood Community College placed #8 among the best values for child development. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Early-career child development graduates make about $35,767.

9

Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC

Rowan Cabarrus Community College placed #9 among the best values for child development. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,867. Early-career child development graduates make about $34,351. That is a strong return on a $10,867 median debt.

10

James Sprunt Community College
Kenansville, NC

James Sprunt Community College came in at #10 for value in child development this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Child Development graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $35,264. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Craven Community College
New Bern, NC

Craven Community College earned the #11 position for value in child development this year. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $30,235. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Ozarka College
Melbourne, AR

Ozarka College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,820, compared with $6,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,778. Child Development graduates of Ozarka College earn a median of $48,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Vance Granville Community College
Henderson, NC

Vance Granville Community College landed the #13 spot for child development value this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $43,272. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Northwest Arkansas Community College
Bentonville, AR

Northwest Arkansas Community College placed #14 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $12,479. Child Development graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Set against $12,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Robeson Community College
Lumberton, NC

Robeson Community College placed #15 among the best values for child development. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $52,951. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Roane State Community College
Harriman, TN

Roane State Community College placed #16 among the best values for child development. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,998, compared with $18,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $9,408. Child Development graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.

17

Northeast State Community College
Blountville, TN

Northeast State Community College placed #17 among the best values for child development. Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Blountville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,782, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $6,404. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Northeast State Community College generally make around $39,673. Set against $6,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Nashville State Community College
Nashville, TN

Nashville State Community College landed the #18 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, while out-of-state students pay about $17,714. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $16,745. Child Development graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $41,456 early in their careers. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Richmond Community College
Hamlet, NC

Richmond Community College placed #19 among the best values for child development. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,956, while out-of-state students pay about $6,564. Child Development graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

Wake Technical Community College placed #20 among the best values for child development. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $20,783 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. That is a strong return on a $20,783 median debt.

21

Isothermal Community College
Spindale, NC

Isothermal Community College landed the #21 spot for child development value this year. Set in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,030, with out-of-state students paying around $6,638. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Isothermal Community College generally make around $47,389. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.

22

Randolph Community College
Asheboro, NC

Randolph Community College landed the #22 spot for child development value this year. Set in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,416 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,176. Child Development graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers.

23

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System landed the #23 spot for child development value this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $26,340 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $27,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,340 median debt.

24

Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock
Flat Rock, NC

Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock landed the #24 spot for child development value this year. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Flat Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $2,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $16,252. Child Development graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn a median of $42,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.

25

Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University placed #25 among the best values for child development. Located in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $45,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.