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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Southeast Region

21 Colleges in the United States
2,878 Child Development & Psychology Degrees Awarded
$45,103 Avg Early-Career Salary

Child Development & Psychology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for child development & psychology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Child Development & Psychology in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the child development & psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Child Development & Psychology

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best child development & psychology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 81 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $77,997 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. See the full child development & psychology program report for Vanderbilt University

2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 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. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

3

Students looking for a strong child development & psychology program will find one at The University Of Tennessee, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 372 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at The University Of Tennessee

4
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Durham. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 142 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $39,359. Typical student debt for the program is $12,125. See the full child development & psychology program report for Duke University

5

Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 195 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Tulane University Of Louisiana

6
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College earned the #6 position for child development & psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Davidson College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 49 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Davidson College in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Davidson College earn around $41,505 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Davidson College

7

Washington And Lee University placed #7 among the best child development & psychology schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Washington And Lee University graduates 94% of students within six years. Washington And Lee University awarded about 41 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $76,810 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,074. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Washington And Lee University

8

University Of Georgia placed #8 among the best child development & psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Georgia awarded about 22 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at University Of Georgia

9
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 26 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $53,815. Students borrow a median of $21,634 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development & psychology program at University Of Richmond

10

East Carolina University earned the #10 position for child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. East Carolina University awarded about 15 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $51,931. Typical student debt for the program is $24,747. See the full child development & psychology program report for East Carolina University

11
Berry College crest
Berry College
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College landed the #11 spot for child development & psychology this year. Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Berry. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Berry College awarded about 40 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Berry College earn a median of $50,785 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete this degree. See the full child development & psychology program report for Berry College

12

Stetson University earned the #12 position for child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Stetson University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Stetson University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $38,839 in their early career. Stetson University graduates carry a median of $25,382 in student loans. Get the full child development & psychology details for Stetson University

13

Florida International University landed the #13 spot for child development & psychology this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. Florida International University awarded about 57 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Get the full child development & psychology details for Florida International University

14

West Virginia University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. About 64% of students finish within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 12 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $51,750 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. See the full child development & psychology program report for West Virginia University

15

University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #15 for child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 372 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $29,350 in their early career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Get the full child development & psychology details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

16

Agnes Scott College came in at #16 for child development & psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Decatur, Agnes Scott College is a small private not-for-profit university. Agnes Scott College graduates 71% of students within six years. Agnes Scott College awarded about 38 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $28,191 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,811 to complete this degree. Get the full child development & psychology details for Agnes Scott College

17

University Of North Florida came in at #17 for child development & psychology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Jacksonville. University Of North Florida graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 331 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Florida in the most recent data year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $30,816 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University Of North Florida

18

Georgia College And State University earned the #18 position for child development & psychology this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 92 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Georgia College And State University in the most recent year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $32,149 early in their careers. Georgia College And State University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Georgia College And State University

19

American Public University System ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 359 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at American Public University System in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from American Public University System earn around $57,404 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,438. Read more about the child development & psychology program at American Public University System

20

Oglethorpe University landed the #20 spot for child development & psychology this year. Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Atlanta. Oglethorpe University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Oglethorpe University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Oglethorpe University earn around $34,113 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Oglethorpe University

21

Florida Atlantic University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 108 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $23,981 early in their careers. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $18,384 in student loans. See the full child development & psychology program report for Florida Atlantic University

22

University Of Charleston ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Charleston graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Charleston in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $64,407 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,646 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development & psychology program at University Of Charleston

23

Murray State University earned the #23 position for child development & psychology this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Murray State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $23,674. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full child development & psychology program report for Murray State University

24
Centre College crest
Centre College
Danville, KY

Centre College landed the #24 spot for child development & psychology this year. Set in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Centre College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $32,327 in their early career. Centre College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full child development & psychology program report for Centre College

25
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #25 spot for child development & psychology this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Western Kentucky University in the most recent year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $44,778 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,499. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Western Kentucky University

Rest of the Top 31 Child Development & Psychology Schools

These schools also placed among the best for child development & psychology this year:

26
27
28
29
Eckerd College crest
Eckerd College
Saint Petersburg, FL
30
31

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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