2026 Best Value Child development Schools in Oklahoma

[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child development students.
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2026 Best Value Child development Schools in Oklahoma
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child development Schools
Leading the list is Oklahoma City Community College, our #1 best value for child development in Oklahoma. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $13,919. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. That is a strong return on a $13,919 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tulsa Community College earned it the #2 place for child development. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Child Development graduates carry a median of $15,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $33,103. Set against $15,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Redlands Community College earned it the #3 place for child development. 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, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,682 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Oklahoma College one of the best values for child development. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,083 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,811. Early-career child development graduates make about $40,565. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Western Oklahoma State College one of the best values for child development. Western Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the town of Altus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Western Oklahoma State College earn a median of $39,122 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,654 median debt.
Cameron University earned the #6 position for value in child development this year. Cameron University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lawton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,095, while out-of-state students pay about $16,515. Students borrow a median of $23,967 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Cameron University generally make around $43,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rose State College landed the #7 spot for child development value this year. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. Set against $13,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Connors State College came in at #8 for value in child development this year. Connors State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warner. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Child Development graduates carry a median of $16,071 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Connors State College generally make around $47,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Murray State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tishomingo. Students from in state pay about $7,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,430. Students borrow a median of $16,542 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $43,916. That is a strong return on a $16,542 median debt.
Seminole State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the town of Seminole, Seminole State College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,460, compared with $11,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,162 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $26,814. That is a strong return on a $10,162 median debt.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for child development. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $23,858 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $43,282. That is a strong return on a $23,858 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Christian University landed the #12 spot for child development value this year. Set in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,180. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $24,721. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Oklahoma Christian University generally make around $49,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
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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 · 14 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.