by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study child development, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 31 colleges ranked on how well they support veterans pursuing child development, using our 2026 methodology.
We measure this ranking on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits (including GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon support), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat to build custom comparisons on the factors you care about most.
Explore the best child development colleges for veterans at a specific degree level:
Explore the leading child development colleges for veterans below:
Leading the list is University of Virginia-Main Campus, our #1 child development college for veterans. It scores 87.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. See the full child development report for University of Virginia-Main Campus
Veteran students seeking a strong child development program will find one at Western Michigan University, which ranked #2. The school's overall veterans score is 85.4 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0. See the full child development report for Western Michigan University
Texas Tech University is a great choice for veterans pursuing child development, landing the #3 spot this year. It scores 84.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about child development at Texas Tech University
Towson University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best child development colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 80.9 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the child development program at Towson University
Appalachian State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best child development colleges for veterans. Appalachian State University scores 80.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
See the full child development report for Appalachian State University
5
Texas Woman's University landed the #6 spot for veterans pursuing child development. Texas Woman's University scores 80.4 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about child development at Texas Woman's University
Central Michigan University landed the #7 spot for veterans pursuing child development. Central Michigan University scores 78.6 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. More about the child development program at Central Michigan University
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #8 among the best child development colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 78.2 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 62.3, and veteran resources 66.7. More about the child development program at Point Loma Nazarene University
Bowie State University placed #9 among the best child development colleges for veterans. Bowie State University scores 77.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the child development program at Bowie State University
Community College of Allegheny County placed #10 among the best child development colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 77.2 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
See the full child development report for Community College of Allegheny County
10
Michigan State University landed the #11 spot for veterans pursuing child development. It scores 76.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about child development at Michigan State University
West Virginia University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best child development colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 75.9 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. More about the child development program at West Virginia University
Missouri State University-Springfield came in at #13 for veteran child development students this year. Missouri State University-Springfield scores 75.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. Read more about child development at Missouri State University-Springfield
University of Central Missouri landed the #14 spot for veterans pursuing child development. University of Central Missouri scores 75.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. See the full child development report for University of Central Missouri
Eastern Washington University came in at #15 for veteran child development students this year. Eastern Washington University scores 74.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
More about the child development program at Eastern Washington University
15
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus came in at #16 for veteran child development students this year. It scores 74.0 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. See the full child development report for Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
Southeast Community College Area ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best child development colleges for veterans. Southeast Community College Area scores 72.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about child development at Southeast Community College Area
Auburn University placed #18 among the best child development colleges for veterans. It scores 71.0 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. More about the child development program at Auburn University
Kansas State University placed #19 among the best child development colleges for veterans. It scores 71.0 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the child development program at Kansas State University
University of Akron Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best child development colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 69.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
More about the child development program at University of Akron Main Campus
20
East Tennessee State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best child development colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 68.1 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about child development at East Tennessee State University
Post University placed #22 among the best child development colleges for veterans. It scores 65.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. More about the child development program at Post University
Tulsa Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best child development colleges for veterans. It scores 63.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. See the full child development report for Tulsa Community College
Fresno Pacific University landed the #24 spot for veterans pursuing child development. It scores 60.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 76.3, and veteran resources 33.3. Read more about child development at Fresno Pacific University
Meredith College came in at #25 for veteran child development students this year. Meredith College scores 60.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 61.7, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score. More about the child development program at Meredith College
These child development colleges also placed near the top this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
We measure this ranking on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying child development: affordability and veteran financial benefits (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
