2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Southeast Region
[Child Development & Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for child development & psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the child development & psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools
For return on investment in child development & psychology, no school beat Florida International University this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $19,349. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #2 place for child development & psychology. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $18,384. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $23,981. Set against $18,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #4 place for child development & psychology. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Florida one of the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the child development & psychology program here. 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.
Murray State University came in at #6 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University landed the #8 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia came in at #9 for value in child development & psychology this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,749 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $30,389. That is a strong return on a $22,749 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #10 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama earned the #11 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $20,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
East Carolina University placed #12 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
College Of Coastal Georgia ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Brunswick, College Of Coastal Georgia is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,616, with out-of-state students paying around $10,936. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $19,240. Child Development & Psychology graduates of College Of Coastal Georgia earn a median of $40,858 early in their careers. Set against $19,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Coastal Georgia admits about 98% of applicants.
Savannah State University earned the #14 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $33,450. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $27,763. That is a strong return on a $33,450 median debt.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $49,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Davidson College placed #16 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University placed #17 among the best values for child development & psychology. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $13,975. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Georgia College And State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $32,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia College And State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Stetson University placed #19 among the best values for child development & psychology. Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of DeLand. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,410. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $25,382. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Stetson University generally make around $38,839. Set against $25,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Berry College came in at #20 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Berry, Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,486. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Berry College generally make around $50,785. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Centre College placed #21 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Centre College generally make around $32,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Oglethorpe University earned the #22 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $47,590. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Oglethorpe University earn a median of $34,113 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,800 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Charleston earned the #23 position for value in child development & psychology this year. University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,617. Students borrow a median of $22,646 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Charleston earn a median of $64,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Charleston admits about 62% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University placed #24 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $76,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Agnes Scott College landed the #25 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Agnes Scott College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $50,604 in tuition and fees. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,811 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Agnes Scott College earn a median of $28,191 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,811 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for child development & psychology this year:
Narrow Child Development & Psychology Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
