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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Child development Schools in Missouri

2 Colleges in the United States
$21,731 Avg Student Debt
$49,529 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Child development Badge [Child development](/majors/family-consumer-human-sciences/human-development-family-studies/child-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for child development students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Child development Schools in Missouri

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Child development Schools

1

Saint Louis Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value child development schools in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $26,593. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #2. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $36,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

3

Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Child Development graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $32,769. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in child development will find it at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Child Development graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Child Development graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $40,221 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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