2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for child development & psychology in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $11,091. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for child development & psychology. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #3 place for child development & psychology. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $26,697. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $47,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

5

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

6

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #6 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $15,500. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $23,420 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

7

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #7 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $29,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

8

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #8 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

9

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced earned the #9 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $18,318. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $55,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

11

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #12 position for value in child development & psychology this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $34,431. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

13

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #13 spot for child development & psychology value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

14

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,754 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $34,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida placed #15 among the best values for child development & psychology. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $18,750. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $30,816 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

16

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #16 position for value in child development & psychology this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,737 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $27,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

17

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System earned the #17 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $57,404. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.

18

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #18 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $18,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $23,981. Set against $18,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

19

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #19 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,314 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $39,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

20

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $19,500. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $31,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

21

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

22

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #22 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,708 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $52,349. That is a strong return on a $18,708 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

23

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Fort Hays State University earned the #23 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $25,967. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

24

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

25

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #25 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $13,219 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,301. That is a strong return on a $13,219 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.