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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Child development Associate’s Degree Schools

3 Colleges in the United States
828 Child development Degrees Awarded
$37,302 Avg Early-Career Salary

Child development degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 279 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for child development students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Child development in the United States

Below are the best child development schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Child development

1

Saint Louis Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in child development. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. About 22 child development degrees were awarded at Saint Louis Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $26,593 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,424. More information about a degree in child development from Saint Louis Community College

2

Tulsa Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Tulsa Community College awarded about 25 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $33,103 in their early career. Tulsa Community College graduates carry a median of $15,287 in student loans. See the full child development program report for Tulsa Community College

3
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. There were roughly 29 child development students who graduated with this degree at Blinn College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Blinn College graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Get the full child development details for Blinn College

4

Oklahoma City Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. This large public university is located in the city of Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City Community College awarded about 14 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete this degree. Get the full child development details for Oklahoma City Community College

5

San Jacinto Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child development, ranking #5. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 27 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $38,107 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,376. More information about a degree in child development from San Jacinto Community College

6
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University came in at #6 for child development this year. This large public university is located in the town of Russellville. Arkansas Tech University graduates 44% of students within six years. About 33 child development degrees were awarded at Arkansas Tech University in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $45,115 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full child development details for Arkansas Tech University

7

Brigham Young University Idaho placed #7 among the best child development schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 child development students who graduated with this degree at Brigham Young University Idaho in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $21,619 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,250. More information about a degree in child development from Brigham Young University Idaho

8

Tarrant County College District earned the #8 position for child development this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. There were roughly 18 child development students who graduated with this degree at Tarrant County College District in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $45,158 in their early career. Tarrant County College District graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Get the full child development details for Tarrant County College District

9
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College earned the #9 position for child development this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. About 24 child development degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $41,295 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,557. More information about a degree in child development from El Centro College

10
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College landed the #10 spot for child development this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. About 16 child development degrees were awarded at Amarillo College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Amarillo College graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Get the full child development details for Amarillo College

11

Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #11 for child development this year. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Mount Wachusett Community College awarded about 10 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $27,078. Typical student debt for the program is $5,921. See the full child development program report for Mount Wachusett Community College

12

Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #12 position for child development this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. About 27 child development degrees were awarded at Community College Of Allegheny County in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from Community College Of Allegheny County earn around $28,078 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,651 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development program at Community College Of Allegheny County

13

Dyersburg State Community College came in at #13 for child development this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Dyersburg. About 11 child development degrees were awarded at Dyersburg State Community College in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of Dyersburg State Community College earn a median of $41,177 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,611. More information about a degree in child development from Dyersburg State Community College

14

Houston Community College came in at #14 for child development this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Houston Community College awarded about 24 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete this degree. See the full child development program report for Houston Community College

15

Southeast Community College Area landed the #15 spot for child development this year. This large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. Southeast Community College Area awarded about 13 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $29,534 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,165 to complete this degree. See the full child development program report for Southeast Community College Area

16

Northern Oklahoma College landed the #16 spot for child development this year. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. About 11 child development degrees were awarded at Northern Oklahoma College in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $40,565 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,811. More information about a degree in child development from Northern Oklahoma College

17
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College earned the #17 position for child development this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. About 16 child development degrees were awarded at South Plains College in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. South Plains College graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. More information about a degree in child development from South Plains College

18
North Idaho College crest
North Idaho College
Coeur d'Alene, ID

North Idaho College landed the #18 spot for child development this year. Located in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public university. North Idaho College awarded about 10 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from North Idaho College earn around $49,489 in the first couple years of their career. North Idaho College graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Read more about the child development program at North Idaho College

19
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX

Angelina College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. Angelina College awarded about 13 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,828 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development program at Angelina College

20

Roane State Community College placed #20 among the best child development schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Harriman. There were roughly 21 child development students who graduated with this degree at Roane State Community College in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Roane State Community College earn a median of $36,933 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,408. Read more about the child development program at Roane State Community College

21

Nashville State Community College came in at #21 for child development this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Nashville. Nashville State Community College awarded about 17 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Nashville State Community College generally make around $41,456. Typical student debt for the program is $16,745. More information about a degree in child development from Nashville State Community College

22

Schoolcraft College came in at #22 for child development this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. About 19 child development degrees were awarded at Schoolcraft College in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $46,283 in their early career. Schoolcraft College graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Get the full child development details for Schoolcraft College

23

South Texas College placed #23 among the best child development schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. About 63 child development degrees were awarded at South Texas College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $19,971. Typical student debt for the program is $6,868. Get the full child development details for South Texas College

24

Northwestern Michigan College landed the #24 spot for child development this year. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern Michigan College awarded about 10 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $49,210. Students borrow a median of $17,694 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development program at Northwestern Michigan College

25
Post University crest
Post University
Waterbury, CT

Post University came in at #25 for child development this year. Set in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 24%. There were roughly 87 child development students who graduated with this degree at Post University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from Post University earn around $28,745 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $34,584 to complete this degree. See the full child development program report for Post University

Rest of the Top 36 Child development Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong child development education:

26
27
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36

Other Child development Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Child development rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Child development
Bachelor's Degrees in Child development
Master's Degrees in Child development
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View All Child development Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 279 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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