2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in Missouri
[Child Development & Psychology](/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for child development & psychology students.
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2026 Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in child development & psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Child Development & Psychology Schools
Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #1 spot for value among child development & psychology schools in Missouri. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Set against $15,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $25,540. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $35,556. Set against $25,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value child development & psychology schools. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $20,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in child development & psychology will find it at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for child development & psychology graduates is $24,408. Early-career child development & psychology graduates make about $59,052. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes Park University one of the best values for child development & psychology. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. 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.
Cottey College earned the #6 position for value in child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,562. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,422. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cottey College admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #7 spot for child development & psychology value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis placed #8 among the best values for child development & psychology. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Child Development & Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,450 in student loans. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $37,377 early in their careers. Set against $15,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
