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2026 Best Value Child Development Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools

2026 Best Value Child Development Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools

Looking for the best-value Child Development Psychology graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 329 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.

So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.

Top 25 Best-Value Child Development Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States

Here are the top-ranked schools for value:

Fort Hays State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Child Development Psychology graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. Based in Hays, KS, Fort Hays State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Fort Hays State University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $25,967 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,928. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants. Read more about Fort Hays State University

The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles came in at #3 on this year's best-value Child Development Psychology ranking in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,780. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $32,107 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,899 ten years after entry. Set against $32,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles admits about 46% of applicants. Get the full The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles report

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,827 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants. More on Missouri State University Springfield

#5

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, AR

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henderson State University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Based in Arkadelphia, AR, Henderson State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,620. Graduates carry a median of $23,234 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,459 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,234 median debt. Read the full report on Henderson State University

#6

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. 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. Texas Tech University alumni report median earnings of $62,454 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 73% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Texas Tech University profile

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Edinburg, TX, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. The University Of Texas Pan American Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $14,694 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,620. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on The University Of Texas Pan American

#8

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

Ball State University placed #8 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. This public school is set in Muncie, IN. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Median earnings reach $51,833 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University has an acceptance rate of 86%. See the full Ball State University profile

#9

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

East Carolina University placed #9 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Based in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Median earnings reach $55,146 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants. Read more about East Carolina University

#10

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Set in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $27,869. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,144. That is a strong return on a $27,869 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Fayetteville State University

#11

Duke University

Durham, NC

Duke University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Duke University Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $12,125 in debt. Duke University alumni report median earnings of $97,800 a decade after entry. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 6% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Duke University

University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Based in Las Vegas, NV, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $21,181. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,037. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%. Read the full report on University Of Nevada Las Vegas

#13

Purdue University Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $19,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 50%. More on Purdue University Main Campus

#14

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Based in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $20,537. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $74,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants. Read more about Stony Brook University

#14

Cuny Hunter College

New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College placed #14 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $11,091. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,163 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. About 54% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Cuny Hunter College profile

Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $20,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York

University Of Connecticut offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $23,199. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,997. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 52% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Connecticut report

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. See the full Brigham Young University Provo profile

Missouri Southern State University placed #18 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Read the full report on Missouri Southern State University

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Ohio University Main Campus

University Of California Merced offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. More on University Of California Merced

Boston University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Read more about Boston University

Metropolitan State University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Metropolitan State University

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. More on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Regis University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Get the full Regis University report

Southern Nazarene University landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Southern Nazarene University profile

Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Child Development Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:

University Of Toledo came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Toledo

North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. More on North Dakota State University Main Campus

Ohio State University Newark Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. See the full Ohio State University Newark Campus profile

Texas A And M University Commerce placed #29 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. More on Texas A And M University Commerce

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of California Santa Cruz

California Institute Of Integral Studies landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full California Institute Of Integral Studies report

Claremont Graduate University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. More on Claremont Graduate University

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Illinois College landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Illinois College

Reed College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read the full report on Reed College

Saint Marys College Of California placed #36 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Get the full Saint Marys College Of California report

University Of Nevada Reno landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Nevada Reno profile

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on Illinois Institute Of Technology

Stanford University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. See the full Stanford University profile

University Of California San Diego came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of California San Diego

Colgate University placed #41 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Get the full Colgate University report

Cornell College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Read the full report on Cornell College

Harvard University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Harvard University

Suffolk University came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Suffolk University

The University Of Tennessee landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report

Lake Forest College placed #46 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. See the full Lake Forest College profile

Southern Methodist University offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Southern Methodist University

University Of Kentucky came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Kentucky

Florida Institute Of Technology placed #49 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Read more about Florida Institute Of Technology

Trinity College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Read more about Trinity College

See value rankings for other degree levels:

Ranking Methodology & Notes

This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 329 ranked schools only.

References

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