2026 Best Child Development Psychology Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Child Development Psychology master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 329 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Child Development Psychology master's degree schools in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. More on Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Out of the 329 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Princeton University landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. About 98% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. Princeton University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. Read more about Princeton University
A rank of #4 makes Yale University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. Yale University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $14,357 in debt. Read more about Yale University
Harvard University came in at #5 on this year's Child Development Psychology ranking in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $16,616. Read more about Harvard University
Cornell University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $15,005. Read the full report on Cornell University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Cuny Graduate School And University Center Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $17,921 in debt. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. University Of Pennsylvania Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $18,125 in debt. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Chicago came in at #9 in this year's ranking. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Washington University In St Louis ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,450 in student loans. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
Boston College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $18,101. Get the full Boston College report
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #12 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full Texas Christian University profile
Vanderbilt University placed #13 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $13,975. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Brandeis University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Based in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brandeis University graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $26,787. More on Brandeis University
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Madison, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Institute Of Technology graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $52,202. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $26,774. Read the full report on Illinois Institute Of Technology
Drexel University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Drexel University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,412. Drexel University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $28,838 in debt. More on Drexel University
University Of Rochester came in at #19 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. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,080. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $21,000. Get the full University Of Rochester report
Montclair State University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Set in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. Montclair State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $25,286. More on Montclair State University
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Set in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. University Of Missouri Columbia Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $21,818 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Missouri Columbia
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Based in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
Fordham University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. Get the full Fordham University report
George Washington University came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $25,220. See the full George Washington University profile
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Odessa, TX, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a public institution. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Rest of the Top 50 Best Child Development Psychology Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #26 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
California State University Northridge landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. See the full California State University Northridge profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #28 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $15,754 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in Saint Louis, MO, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,760. Saint Louis University Main Campus Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $26,586 in debt. Read the full report on Saint Louis University Main Campus
Duquesne University placed #30 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Duquesne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duquesne University graduates 77% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $26,297. Read the full report on Duquesne University
The University Of Texas Pan American did well this year, earning the #31 position. The University Of Texas Pan American is a public school based in Edinburg, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $14,694. Read more about The University Of Texas Pan American
Loyola University Chicago placed #32 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Loyola University Chicago posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,710. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Read more about Loyola University Chicago
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,708 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
University Of Utah came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $21,314 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. See the full University Of Utah profile
Alliant International University did well this year, earning the #35 position. This private for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,254. Students borrow a median of $21,234 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. See the full Alliant International University profile
University Of Nevada Reno did well this year, earning the #36 position. University Of Nevada Reno is a public school based in Reno, NV. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $19,918. More on University Of Nevada Reno
Oregon State University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Set in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $24,043. See the full Oregon State University profile
University Of Kansas did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,608 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. See the full University Of Kansas profile
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. More on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Texas Tech University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Texas Tech University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $24,271 in debt. More on Texas Tech University
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Child Development Psychology schools. Based in Rochester, NY, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Rochester Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,210. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $27,491. Read the full report on Rochester Institute Of Technology
Teachers College At Columbia University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Read the full report on Teachers College At Columbia University
Western Washington University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Bellingham, WA, Western Washington University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. More on Western Washington University
Ball State University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Ball State University is a public school based in Muncie, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $24,518. Get the full Ball State University report
Boston University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $25,232. See the full Boston University profile
Central Washington University placed #47 among Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Central Washington University is a public school based in Ellensburg, WA. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. More on Central Washington University
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Baltimore, MD. University Of Maryland Baltimore County posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $21,331. Read the full report on University Of Maryland Baltimore County
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $20,050. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
University Of California Berkeley came in at #50 in this year's ranking. University Of California Berkeley is a public school based in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $12,111 in debt. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
The University Of Tennessee did well this year, earning the #51 position. Set in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report
Related Child Development Psychology Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Child Development Psychology Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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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