by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 58 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value child development schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among child development schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Child Development graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for child development. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $19,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma City Community College earned it the #4 place for child development. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $8,542. Early-career child development graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Tulsa Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,287. Early-career child development graduates make about $33,103. That is a strong return on a $15,287 median debt.
Midland College came in at #7 for value in child development this year. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $15,720. Child Development graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
San Antonio College earned the #9 position for value in child development this year. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Child Development graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College came in at #10 for value in child development this year. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District placed #11 among the best values for child development. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Redlands Community College came in at #12 for value in child development this year. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, while out-of-state students pay about $7,951. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Redlands Community College earn a median of $45,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College earned the #13 position for value in child development this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College placed #14 among the best values for child development. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Lee College landed the #15 spot for child development value this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #16 for value in child development this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,376. Early-career child development graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Western Oklahoma State College earned the #17 position for value in child development this year. Set in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $9,758. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Western Oklahoma State College generally make around $39,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Northern Oklahoma College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Child Development graduates carry a median of $11,811 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelina College earned the #20 position for value in child development this year. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Child Development graduates carry a median of $7,828 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College landed the #21 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Child Development graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Child Development graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College came in at #22 for value in child development this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University landed the #23 spot for child development value this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,170 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $36,855 early in their careers. Set against $24,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Cameron University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,095, compared with $16,515 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Cameron University generally make around $43,122. Set against $23,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rose State College came in at #25 for value in child development this year. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $13,451. Child Development graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,451 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s child development value ranking:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.