ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Child Development & Psychology Master’s Degree Schools

44 Colleges in the United States
2,793 Child Development & Psychology Degrees Awarded
$54,282 Avg Early-Career Salary

Child Development & Psychology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 329 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best child development & psychology schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/psychology/child-development-psychology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 20
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 42.27), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Child Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Child Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Child Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Child Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Psychology - Child & Adolescent Development" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Psychology - Child & Adolescent Development" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Psychology - Child & Adolescent Development Psychology" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Psychology - Child & Adolescent Development Psychology" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Developmental Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Developmental Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Developmental Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Developmental Psychology (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Child Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Child Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology EdS Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology EdS Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology PsyD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Psychology PsyD Programs (I Have a Masters)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Psychology" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Psychology" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Psychology" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Psychology" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Human Services - Child & Family Services" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BA in Human Services - Child & Family Services" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Child Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Child Development (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 15
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 11 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 11
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Child Development & Psychology in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in child development & psychology, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Child Development & Psychology

1

Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in child development & psychology. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 23 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $91,275 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,053. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Ohio State University Main Campus

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for a strong child development & psychology program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 55 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $77,997 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Vanderbilt University

3
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 96 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $66,132. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Boston College

4

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 16 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. See the full child development & psychology program report for University Of Maryland College Park

5

Johns Hopkins University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 65 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $49,035 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,507. See the full child development & psychology program report for Johns Hopkins University

6

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Get the full child development & psychology details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

7

Cornell University placed #7 among the best child development & psychology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cornell University awarded about 85 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Cornell University earn around $75,976 in the first couple years of their career. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Get the full child development & psychology details for Cornell University

8

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #8 for child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Texas A And M University College Station

9

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #9 position for child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $83,560 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree. See the full child development & psychology program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

10
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #10 position for child development & psychology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 10 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. See the full child development & psychology program report for Stanford University

11
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $70,321 in their early career. Lehigh University graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Get the full child development & psychology details for Lehigh University

12

University Of Chicago came in at #12 for child development & psychology this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $31,986. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at University Of Chicago

13
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. Duquesne University awarded about 14 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $54,826 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,297. See the full child development & psychology program report for Duquesne University

14

Fordham University placed #14 among the best child development & psychology schools. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 42 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $57,989 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Fordham University

15
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #15 position for child development & psychology this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 390 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of New York University earn a median of $48,960 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,499 to complete this degree. Get the full child development & psychology details for New York University

16

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #16 spot for child development & psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 11 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Get the full child development & psychology details for University Of Missouri Columbia

17
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #17 for child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 18 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $47,874. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Yale University

18

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #18 position for child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 16 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813. See the full child development & psychology program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

19

San Francisco State University earned the #19 position for child development & psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 10 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from San Francisco State University earn around $50,955 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024. Get the full child development & psychology details for San Francisco State University

20

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #20 among the best child development & psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 364 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $52,349. Typical student debt for the program is $18,708. Read more about the child development & psychology program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

21

University Of Georgia placed #21 among the best child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 13 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development & psychology program at University Of Georgia

22

Washington University In St Louis placed #22 among the best child development & psychology schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 177 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $37,377 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $15,450 in student loans. See the full child development & psychology program report for Washington University In St Louis

23

University Of Rochester landed the #23 spot for child development & psychology this year. University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rochester. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Rochester awarded about 121 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $39,732 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full child development & psychology details for University Of Rochester

24
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 93 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,806. Typical student debt for the program is $18,125. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University Of Pennsylvania

25

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #25 among the best child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $31,027 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. See the full child development & psychology program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

Rest of the Top 50 Child Development & Psychology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong child development & psychology education:

26
27
28
29
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
30
31
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
St Francis College crest
St Francis College
Brooklyn, NY

Other Child Development & Psychology Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Child Development & Psychology rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Child Development & Psychology
Associate's Degrees in Child Development & Psychology
Bachelor's Degrees in Child Development & Psychology
ADBLOCK #173
View All Child Development & Psychology Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 329 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options