2026 Best Child Development Psychology Schools
Looking for the best Child Development Psychology programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 329 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Child Development Psychology Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year in the United States. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $12,125 in student loans. Get the full Duke University report
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $10,492. Get the full Stanford University report
A rank of #3 makes Bates College one of the top choices in the United States. Bates College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewiston, ME. About 90% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $13,750. Get the full Bates College report
Out of the 329 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Notre Dame landed the #4 spot. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. More on University Of Notre Dame
A rank of #5 makes Dartmouth College one of the top choices in the United States. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hanover, NH. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,019. Students borrow a median of $18,194 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Read the full report on Dartmouth College
Colgate University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,306. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Read the full report on Colgate University
Princeton University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Princeton University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. Read the full report on Princeton University
Yale University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Yale University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $14,357 in debt. See the full Yale University profile
Harvard University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. About 98% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $16,616. See the full Harvard University profile
Gettysburg College landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Located in Gettysburg, PA, Gettysburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gettysburg College posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $66,640 in tuition and fees. Gettysburg College Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on Gettysburg College
Haverford College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Haverford, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,398. More on Haverford College
Cornell University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $15,005. Read more about Cornell University
Hamilton College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Clinton, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $68,960 in tuition and fees. Hamilton College Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $17,450 in debt. Get the full Hamilton College report
Washington University In St Louis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $15,450. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
Amherst College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Located in Amherst, MA, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Students borrow a median of $10,800 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. More on Amherst College
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles came in at #16 in this year's ranking. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,780. Graduates carry a median of $32,107 in student loans. See the full The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles profile
Northwestern University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Northwestern University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read more about Northwestern University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in New York, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $17,921. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
University Of Chicago did well this year, earning the #19 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Brown University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $15,110. More on Brown University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. More on University Of Pennsylvania
Trinity University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Trinity University is a private not-for-profit school based in San Antonio, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $53,676. Graduates carry a median of $25,892 in student loans. Get the full Trinity University report
Boston College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $18,101. Read more about Boston College
University Of Southern California placed #24 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $15,625. More on University Of Southern California
Barnard College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,888. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $17,000. More on Barnard College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Child Development Psychology Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Texas Christian University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Get the full Texas Christian University report
Augsburg College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Augsburg College is a private not-for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. About 52% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,452. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $26,319. Read more about Augsburg College
Fort Hays State University placed #28 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Fort Hays State University is a public school based in Hays, KS. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $25,967. More on Fort Hays State University
Luther College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Based in Decorah, IA, Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. Luther College posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Students borrow a median of $26,967 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. See the full Luther College profile
Wellesley College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit school based in Wellesley, MA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Get the full Wellesley College report
Hofstra University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Located in Hempstead, NY, Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,660. Hofstra University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $24,848 in debt. See the full Hofstra University profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $21,813 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Vanderbilt University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $13,975. Read more about Vanderbilt University
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. Saint Louis University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Saint Louis University Main Campus Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $26,586 in debt. Get the full Saint Louis University Main Campus report
George Washington University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. George Washington University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $25,220 in debt. Read the full report on George Washington University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #36 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $24,958 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Middlebury College did well this year, earning the #37 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Middlebury, VT. About 91% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $15,948. Read the full report on Middlebury College
University Of Rochester came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Set in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Get the full University Of Rochester report
Brandeis University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,080. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $26,787. See the full Brandeis University profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $20,500. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Whitman College came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Located in Walla Walla, WA, Whitman College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,050. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Read more about Whitman College
Minnesota State University Mankato did well this year, earning the #42 position. Located in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. Minnesota State University Mankato posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Minnesota State University Mankato Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $25,260 in debt. Read more about Minnesota State University Mankato
St Olaf College landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Located in Northfield, MN, St Olaf College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,760. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $25,000. More on St Olaf College
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #44 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $15,754. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #45 position. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University College Station Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Lake Forest College landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Located in Lake Forest, IL, Lake Forest College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lake Forest College posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,402. Graduates carry a median of $26,839 in student loans. More on Lake Forest College
Illinois Institute Of Technology placed #47 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Read the full report on Illinois Institute Of Technology
Drexel University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $28,838. Read the full report on Drexel University
The University Of Tennessee did well this year, earning the #49 position. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. See the full The University Of Tennessee profile
Emory University placed #50 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $19,431. Read more about Emory University
Best Child Development Psychology Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Child Development Psychology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Child Development Psychology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Child Development Psychology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Child Development Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Child Development Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Child Development Psychology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Child Development Psychology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 329 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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