2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

Our analysis ranked Fort Hays State University the best value for a degree in child development & psychology in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield, MO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $15,866 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $25,540 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $35,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.

4

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $20,810. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $34,822 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,810 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.

5

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $20,625. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $31,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

6

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned the #6 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $46,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College landed the #7 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $17,702. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $28,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.

8

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #8 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $56,289. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

9

Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University came in at #9 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Park University generally make around $40,313. Set against $22,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #10 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $59,052. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

11

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University placed #11 among the best values for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $20,035. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $36,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

12

Cottey College
Nevada, MO

Cottey College landed the #12 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Set in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,562 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Median earnings reach $35,422 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

13

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #13 among the best values for child development & psychology. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $21,818. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

14

Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University landed the #14 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Capella University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $35,998 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Capella University generally make around $45,399. That is a strong return on a $35,998 median debt.

15

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis placed #15 among the best values for child development & psychology. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,450 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $37,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

16

Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN

Metropolitan State University landed the #16 spot for child development & psychology value this year. Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,840. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $36,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.

17

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College came in at #17 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $35,070. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.

18

Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College came in at #18 for value in child development & psychology this year. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,120. Students borrow a median of $26,967 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $42,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

19

Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College came in at #19 for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $39,238. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.

20

Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $38,027. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.

21

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

Creighton University earned the #21 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. Students borrow a median of $25,292 to complete the child development & psychology program here. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $26,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.