2026 Best Value Child development Schools in Tennessee
[Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong child development education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value child development schools.
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2026 Best Value Child development Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the child development degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Child development Schools
Dyersburg State Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value child development schools in Tennessee. Located in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,758 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,611. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Dyersburg State Community College generally make around $41,177. That is a strong return on a $10,611 median debt.
Northeast State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,766. Child Development graduates carry a median of $6,404 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $39,673. That is a strong return on a $6,404 median debt.
Roane State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,630. Students borrow a median of $9,408 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $36,933. That is a strong return on a $9,408 median debt.
Nashville State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #4 spot 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, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $16,745. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,456. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Tennessee State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $20,032 in student loans. Child Development graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $33,301 early in their careers. Set against $20,032 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Vanderbilt University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $13,975. Early-career child development graduates make about $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Lee University came in at #7 for value in child development 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. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $38,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
More Child development Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
