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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Child development Schools in the Southeast Region

9 Colleges in the United States
1,089 Child development Degrees Awarded
$39,550 Avg Early-Career Salary

Child development is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 90 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best child development schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Child development in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall child development education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Child development

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Virginia Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in child development. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 43 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $34,533 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in child development from University Of Virginia Main Campus

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for a strong child development program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. 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. Vanderbilt University awarded about 41 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. See the full child development program report for Vanderbilt University

3
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

A rank of #3 makes Auburn University one of the top schools for child development. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 13 child development degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $30,502. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in child development from Auburn University

4

A rank of #4 makes West Virginia University one of the top schools for child development. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 29 child development students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $32,306. Typical student debt for the program is $25,242. More information about a degree in child development from West Virginia University

5

Students looking for a strong child development program will find one at Appalachian State University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 child development students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $30,062 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree. Get the full child development details for Appalachian State University

6
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University landed the #6 spot for child development this year. This large public university is located in the town of Russellville. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 child development students who graduated with this degree at Arkansas Tech University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from Arkansas Tech University earn around $45,115 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development from Arkansas Tech University

7

East Carolina University earned the #7 position for child development this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 10 child development degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from East Carolina University earn around $29,607 in the first couple years of their career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the child development program at East Carolina University

8

Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #8 position for child development this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. There were roughly 35 child development students who graduated with this degree at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $34,351 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development from Rowan Cabarrus Community College

9
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College earned the #9 position for child development this year. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 23 child development degrees were awarded at Meredith College in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of Meredith College earn a median of $40,537 early in their careers. Meredith College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full child development program report for Meredith College

10

Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #10 among the best child development schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. About 134 child development degrees were awarded at Fayetteville Technical Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Fayetteville Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. See the full child development program report for Fayetteville Technical Community College

11

Dyersburg State Community College placed #11 among the best child development schools. Set in the town of Dyersburg, Dyersburg State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Dyersburg State Community College awarded about 39 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $41,177 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,611. Get the full child development details for Dyersburg State Community College

12

East Tennessee State University placed #12 among the best child development schools. This large public university is located in the city of Johnson City. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. East Tennessee State University awarded about 25 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from East Tennessee State University earn around $33,301 in the first couple years of their career. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $20,032 in student loans. Read more about the child development program at East Tennessee State University

13

Harding University earned the #13 position for child development this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Harding University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 10 child development degrees were awarded at Harding University in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of Harding University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development from Harding University

14

University Of Arkansas At Monticello ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Monticello. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. University Of Arkansas At Monticello awarded about 31 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Monticello generally make around $41,278. Typical student debt for the program is $15,611. See the full child development program report for University Of Arkansas At Monticello

15

Stanly Community College came in at #15 for child development this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. About 34 child development degrees were awarded at Stanly Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from Stanly Community College earn around $41,920 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the child development program at Stanly Community College

16

Wake Technical Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 83 child development students who graduated with this degree at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Typical student debt for the program is $20,783. Read more about the child development program at Wake Technical Community College

17
Converse College crest
Converse College
Spartanburg, SC

Converse College came in at #17 for child development this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Spartanburg. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 15 child development students who graduated with this degree at Converse College in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Converse College earn a median of $38,940 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,715. Get the full child development details for Converse College

18

Johnston Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Smithfield. About 23 child development degrees were awarded at Johnston Community College in the most recent year. Child Development graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,490. More information about a degree in child development from Johnston Community College

19

Wayne Community College earned the #19 position for child development this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Goldsboro. About 10 child development degrees were awarded at Wayne Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development program make about $33,116 in their early career. Wayne Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in child development from Wayne Community College

20

North Carolina A And T State University came in at #20 for child development this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. North Carolina A And T State University awarded about 28 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $37,458 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full child development details for North Carolina A And T State University

21

Roane State Community College landed the #21 spot for child development this year. Located in the town of Harriman, Roane State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 40 child development students who graduated with this degree at Roane State Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $36,933 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,408. More information about a degree in child development from Roane State Community College

22

Alamance Community College landed the #22 spot for child development this year. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Alamance Community College awarded about 18 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development program make about $37,585 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development from Alamance Community College

23

Nashville State Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best child development schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Nashville State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 38 child development degrees were awarded at Nashville State Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development degree from Nashville State Community College earn around $41,456 in the first couple years of their career. Nashville State Community College graduates carry a median of $16,745 in student loans. More information about a degree in child development from Nashville State Community College

24

University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton placed #24 among the best child development schools. Set in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public institution. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton awarded about 16 child development degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development degree from University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earn around $47,729 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,758. See the full child development program report for University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton

25

Northeast State Community College earned the #25 position for child development this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Blountville. There were roughly 27 child development students who graduated with this degree at Northeast State Community College in the most recent data year. Child Development graduates of Northeast State Community College earn a median of $39,673 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,404. See the full child development program report for Northeast State Community College

Rest of the Top 40 Child development Schools

These schools also placed among the best for child development this year:

26
27
28
Pulaski Technical College crest
Pulaski Technical College
North Little Rock, AR
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Ozarka College crest
Ozarka College
Melbourne, AR
38
39
40
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 90 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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