2026 Best Child development Schools

1

Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Leading the list is Santa Clara University, our #1 school for child development. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 child development students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $79,380 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development program at Santa Clara University

2

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

Students looking for a strong child development program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 child development students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $34,533. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the child development program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

3

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 child development degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. See the full child development program report for Vanderbilt University

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 105 child development students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $30,205. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in child development from California State University Long Beach

5

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child development, ranking #5. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 26 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full child development program report for Texas Tech University

6

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino earned the #6 position for child development this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. About 186 child development degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from California State University San Bernardino earn around $42,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development from California State University San Bernardino

7

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University landed the #7 spot for child development this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 62 child development degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from Tufts University earn around $44,725 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,170. See the full child development program report for Tufts University

8

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Bethlehem, PA

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #8 position for child development this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary awarded about 20 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $48,472 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,857. More information about a degree in child development from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary

9

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University placed #9 among the best child development schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 child development degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Towson University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the child development program at Towson University

10

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Olivet Nazarene University awarded about 12 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $48,505. Typical student debt for the program is $26,797. Read more about the child development program at Olivet Nazarene University

11

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #11 for child development this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 child development students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $40,221 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in child development from University Of Missouri Columbia

12

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University placed #12 among the best child development schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 64 child development students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $27,037 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,300. Read more about the child development program at Point Loma Nazarene University

13

Saint Louis Community College
Bridgeton, MO

Saint Louis Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Saint Louis Community College awarded about 22 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $26,593. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development from Saint Louis Community College

14

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #14 for child development this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 78 child development degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Read more about the child development program at California State University Fresno

15

University Of La Verne
La Verne, CA

University Of La Verne earned the #15 position for child development this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 55 child development degrees were awarded at University Of La Verne in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in child development from University Of La Verne

16

Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community College placed #16 among the best child development schools. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. There were roughly 124 child development students who graduated with this degree at Tulsa Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from Tulsa Community College earn around $33,103 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,287. More information about a degree in child development from Tulsa Community College

17

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University came in at #17 for child development this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Kansas State University awarded about 22 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $42,654 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full child development details for Kansas State University

18

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #18 spot for child development this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Auburn University awarded about 13 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $30,502 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development program at Auburn University

19

Saint Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure, NY

Saint Bonaventure University landed the #19 spot for child development this year. Located in the town of Saint Bonaventure, Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Saint Bonaventure University graduates 67% of students within six years. Saint Bonaventure University awarded about 10 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $43,190 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,917 to complete this degree. See the full child development program report for Saint Bonaventure University

20

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University placed #20 among the best child development schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 child development students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $44,751. Typical student debt for the program is $23,334. Get the full child development details for Portland State University

21

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University landed the #21 spot for child development this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Humboldt State University awarded about 28 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $34,928 early in their careers. Humboldt State University graduates carry a median of $19,129 in student loans. See the full child development program report for Humboldt State University

22

Texas A And M University San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #22 spot for child development this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. About 25 child development degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University San Antonio in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from Texas A And M University San Antonio earn around $45,681 in the first couple years of their career. Texas A And M University San Antonio graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. More information about a degree in child development from Texas A And M University San Antonio

23

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #23 position for child development this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 18 child development degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from College Of Dupage earn around $43,025 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree. See the full child development program report for College Of Dupage

24

Western Oregon University
Monmouth, OR

Western Oregon University placed #24 among the best child development schools. Set in the town of Monmouth, Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Western Oregon University awarded about 13 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Western Oregon University earn a median of $39,436 early in their careers. Western Oregon University graduates carry a median of $24,166 in student loans. See the full child development program report for Western Oregon University

25

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University placed #25 among the best child development schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. About 64% of students finish within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 29 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $32,306. West Virginia University graduates carry a median of $25,242 in student loans. Get the full child development details for West Virginia University