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

14 Colleges in the United States
1,331 Child Development & Psychology Degrees Awarded
$40,737 Avg Early-Career Salary

Child Development & Psychology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools to find the best for child development & psychology students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Child Development & Psychology in the The Plains States 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

Leading the list is University Of Missouri Columbia, our #1 school for child development & psychology. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 15 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. See the full child development & psychology program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. About 175 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $31,027. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree. See the full child development & psychology program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

Washington University In St Louis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 190 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. Get the full child development & psychology details for Washington University In St Louis

4
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child development & psychology, ranking #4. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 36 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Carleton College in the most recent year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $39,238 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete this degree. Get the full child development & psychology details for Carleton College

5

Missouri State University Springfield is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in child development & psychology, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $59,052 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Missouri State University Springfield

6

Fort Hays State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 12 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Fort Hays State University in the most recent year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Fort Hays State University graduates carry a median of $25,967 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Fort Hays State University

7
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College earned the #7 position for child development & psychology this year. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Luther College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Luther College earn around $42,426 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,967 to complete this degree. Get the full child development & psychology details for Luther College

8
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas earned the #8 position for child development & psychology this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 64 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from University Of Kansas earn around $56,289 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608. See the full child development & psychology program report for University Of Kansas

9
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College earned the #9 position for child development & psychology this year. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. St Olaf College awarded about 58 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from St Olaf College earn around $35,070 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from St Olaf College

10

University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #10 among the best child development & psychology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kearney. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 45 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn around $46,744 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,173. See the full child development & psychology program report for University Of Nebraska At Kearney

11

Kansas State University earned the #11 position for child development & psychology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 99 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $36,257 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,035 to complete this degree. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Kansas State University

12

University Of Central Missouri ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best child development & psychology schools. This large public university is located in the town of Warrensburg. University Of Central Missouri graduates 54% of students within six years. About 45 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $34,822 early in their careers. University Of Central Missouri graduates carry a median of $20,810 in student loans. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University Of Central Missouri

13

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #13 for child development & psychology this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 47 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Northwest Missouri State University in the most recent year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $35,556 early in their careers. Northwest Missouri State University graduates carry a median of $25,540 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Northwest Missouri State University

14
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College placed #14 among the best child development & psychology schools. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. Macalester College awarded about 47 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Macalester College earn around $38,027 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full child development & psychology details for Macalester College

15

Creighton University landed the #15 spot for child development & psychology this year. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 56 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Students who receive their child development & psychology degree from Creighton University earn around $26,845 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,292. See the full child development & psychology program report for Creighton University

16
Grinnell College crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College placed #16 among the best child development & psychology schools. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Grinnell College graduates 88% of students within six years. About 35 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Grinnell College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $28,507. Students borrow a median of $17,702 to complete this degree. Get the full child development & psychology details for Grinnell College

17
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN

Capella University came in at #17 for child development & psychology this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 144 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Capella University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $45,399 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $35,998 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Capella University

18
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN

Walden University landed the #18 spot for child development & psychology this year. Walden University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Walden University awarded about 70 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the child development & psychology program make about $46,371 in their early career. Walden University graduates carry a median of $49,361 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Walden University

19
Cottey College crest
Cottey College
Nevada, MO

Cottey College came in at #19 for child development & psychology this year. Located in the town of Nevada, Cottey College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 12 child development & psychology degrees were awarded at Cottey College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Get the full child development & psychology details for Cottey College

20

Metropolitan State University placed #20 among the best child development & psychology schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $36,600. Metropolitan State University graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Metropolitan State University

21
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University placed #21 among the best child development & psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. Park University awarded about 126 child development & psychology degrees in the most recent data year. Child Development & Psychology graduates of Park University earn a median of $40,313 early in their careers. Park University graduates carry a median of $22,660 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Park University

22

Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #22 for child development & psychology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Springfield. There were roughly 14 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Ozarks Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, child development & psychology degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,644. Ozarks Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $15,866 in student loans. Read more about the child development & psychology program at Ozarks Technical Community College

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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 · 37 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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