### SUMMARY

 Going to school for Child Development is a valuable choice and frequently an obligatory first step for scholars aspiring to enter a career as a child life specialist, a child care teacher, or a child protective investigator. Interestingly, child development is a very rare degree being the 158th most popular major. Last academic year alone, there were 1,766 child development graduates. In-state tuition for child development at private schools is, on average, 3.1 times more spendy than their public peers.

 With only 79 universities having programs for child development there might be a smaller selection of institutions which will have a degree program for you. If you're hoping to immerse yourself with other child development undergraduates, look at universities in California which have more students admitted to child development than any other state. More generally, the top region to major in child development is in the Far West region with [Fresno Pacific University](/colleges/fresno-pacific-university), [Point Loma Nazarene University](/colleges/point-loma-nazarene-university), and [Ashford University](/colleges/ashford-university) best representing the region. Interestingly, our pick for the best conference to study child development is the Pacific West Conference with [Fresno Pacific University](/colleges/fresno-pacific-university) representing the conference. From our extensive list on the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges), our choice for the best school for child development is [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university).

 The best school does not mean it is the best school for you. There can be many more perspectives to weigh when selecting ​university. Things like campus amenities, transportation services, and food might impact your choice of which college to attend. Here at authority.org, we examined the pros and cons for you. If, for example, you are interested in which child development college is home to the top campus, the winner is [Michigan State University](/colleges/michigan-state-university). If, for example, you are primarily interested in which college is home to the finest campus, we have an entire list [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through student reviews, government databases, professor reviews, and more so we can evaluate every major in an unbiased and informative way. You can explore our well researched list for the schools with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbsphere and from that list, our choice for the school with the best student life for child development is [University of Virginia-Main Campus](/colleges/university-of-virginia-main-campus). Are you curious why? Continue scrolling to learn more about our top recommendations. Many of our decisions will probably surprise you.

 If expense is a significant deciding factor in your decisions, you might consider avoiding [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university). [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university)&nbspis the most expensive college for child development, at least for out of state attendance. We do have an entire page for the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspuniversities that might put the cost of [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university)&nbspinto perspective. You may also care to know that child development is the 319th most expensive program in the US, with an average bill of $22,100. On a broader scale, the most expensive state for child development nationally is Massachusetts with tuition and fees at the primary university, Tufts University, of $57,324. Even more broadly, the most expensive region of the U.S. for child development is the New England region which is best demonstrated with [Goodwin College](/colleges/goodwin-college) with a cost of $19,988, [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university) with a cost of $57,324, and [Colby-Sawyer College](/colleges/colby-sawyer-college) with a cost of $42,388.

 Our cheapest region for child development is the Rocky Mountains region which is represented by [Brigham Young University-Idaho](/colleges/brigham-young-university-idaho) with a cost of $4,208. In better news, the most affordable school for child development is [Ashford University](/colleges/ashford-university). Authority's full list of the most affordable universities can be found [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state attendees can expect to pay in the neighborhood of $9,700 for a degree in child development. That price increases significantly to a median of $22,600 for the out-of-state public-school undergraduate. Our selection for the school constituting the best value for child development: [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university). On this page you can see our comprehensive list on the colleges we see as being the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspin general. That being said, this list is based on the assumption that you are an out-of-state student. The value proposition changes when in-state tuition costs are considered, but we do not know in which states any one student has residency.

 Earnings for child development majors can vary, but two-years after graduation students will typically make in the neighborhood of $41,100. While there is a lot of variation in earnings; highest paid earners can rake in up to $70,100. Right out of university, the minimum earning positions within the child development field make $23,900, which could be worse. The top earning graduates from child development graduated from [Santa Clara University](/colleges/santa-clara-university)&nbspand if you want to find the colleges with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), we have that too.

 The general diversity of child development falls subpar, coming in the 31st percentile of majors nationally. The school with the most composite diversity for child development is [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university)&nbspand here you can find our general list for the schools which have the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The financial diversity of the Child Development major ranks only within the 87th percentile compared to all other majors. Racial diversity is even less in the 48th percentile. White undergraduates make up the largest share, 62%, of those studying child development. Additionally, 95% of undergraduates seeking a child development major are women.

 The median ranking for child development professors is 4.1 stars, a score that is 2% higher than the average across every major; this is a good ranking. If you are looking for the most popular child development professor in the country, consider looking up Alicia Mendiola from [East Los Angeles College](/colleges/east-los-angeles-college). It may be shocking, but the highest rated child development professors by student are found at [Brigham Young University-Idaho](/colleges/brigham-young-university-idaho). As we incorporate data other than simply rankings it becomes clear that the college possessing the best instructors for child development is [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university). You can find an explanation of our ever evolving ranking methodology for the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), along with some of the best examples of professors nationwide.

 Finally, the hardest college to get into for child development is [Vanderbilt University](/colleges/vanderbilt-university). While we do not necessarily see the value in it, we do have a detailed page of the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). Although, here at Authority we hope you believe that looking at academics with a lens only built on superlatives can create issues. We at Authority hope you look at some of our more focused pages on different universities and peruse a couple of Authority's background pages on beneficial things to consider as your university search continues.



 ### POPULARITY

 Child development is the 158th most popular degree in America, with 1,766 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #159 [Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management](/rankings/best-colleges-for-wildlife-fish-and-wildlands-science-and-management), and narrowly lost to #157 [Radiography](/rankings/best-colleges-for-radiography).

 The degree is offered at a total of 79 colleges across the nation, and is the 206th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 4% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America.

 It is also worth noting that approximately 7 in 10 colleges offering child development are public making it a quite accessible field.

 The far west produces the most child development graduates, largely led by [Fresno Pacific University](/colleges/fresno-pacific-university), while it’s the Pacific West Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, California ranks highest, with particular help from [Fresno Pacific University](/colleges/fresno-pacific-university) and [Point Loma Nazarene University](/colleges/point-loma-nazarene-university).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more child development graduates than [Arkansas Tech University](/colleges/arkansas-tech-university), which graduated 150 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study child development). More students studied child development as a percentage of total students at [Fresno Pacific University](/colleges/fresno-pacific-university) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Child development is the 319th most expensive degree in the nation, with a median cost of $22,125 for the top 50 programs (just ahead of #320, [Family Systems](rankings/best-colleges-for-family-systems), with a median cost of $21,999).

 New England has the most expensive colleges with excellent child development programs predominantly led by [Goodwin College](/colleges/goodwin-college) with an annual cost of $19,998. The most expensive state for child development is Massachusetts led by [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university).

 Public schools with solid programs typically charge 67.86% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 25.37% less than your average private school. So be sure to look into public shools in your state sooner rather than later.

 The most expensive top 25 college for child development is [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university), which is the 13th most expensive college in America. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [Brigham Young University-Idaho](/colleges/brigham-young-university-idaho). It costs just $4,208 per year, and it is ranked 28th for its child development program. If you’re looking for a higher ranked, but still affordable college, [Ashford University](/colleges/ashford-university)  is probably for you, ranked #24 with an in-state cost of just $11,640. Another more affordable choice would be #22, [Texas Woman's University](/colleges/texas-woman-s-university) in Denton County, TX with a cost of $5,430 for in-state students and $15,559 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Starting college is an important investment for most. It's critical to have confidence you justify your spend. We wish for the following income and job placement data to support you in making a well informed decision when choosing your focus.

 In year one out of school, Child Development majors earn $29,969 a year on average (bottom 18%). With experience in their employment, they can generate as high as $70,099 a year to as little as $23,942, but average roughly $41,080. Just so you know, that's 6% north of the national average.

 The most common job title for a Child Development graduate is Licensed Practical Nurse, which for the most part earn approximately $34,000; next are Home Health Aid and Medical Assistant, which normally make near $19,000 and $25,000 respectively.

 New England has the highest grossing Child Development graduates. The best paid state for Child Development alumni is NE. The most well paid conference for Child Development graduates is Appalachian Athletic Conference.



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Child Development: Median Professor Rating: 4.1 / 5, which is above average.

 Instructors frequently play a giant role in shaping your college experience, regardless of your focus. A great teacher could provide inspiration and set you up for future success. On the flip side, a bad professor can turn you off of a subject or even worse... flunk you!

 Professors of Child Development have a median student rating of 4.1 / 5, which puts these professors in the top 41st percentile in the US grounded in overall professor quality. For context a 4.1 rating is 2.5% north of the national median professor rating for all subjects. Child Development professors slightly out-ranked those from ["Game and Interactive Media Design"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-game-and-interactive-media-design), whereas ["Advertising"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-advertising)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Child Development.

 Now for some statistics about Child Development professors. Colleges located in large citys tend to have the best Child Development professors. The Big West Conference has the highest rated Child Development professors. The Great Lakes region has the highest rated Child Development professors. Public colleges tend to have higher rated Child Development professors than private institutions. Finally, Illinois has the highest rated Child Development professors in the United States.

 Alicia Mendiola, instructor at [East Los Angeles College](/colleges/east-los-angeles-college)&nbspin Monterey Park, CA is the most popular Child Development professor in the nation. Alicia Mendiola, instructor at [East Los Angeles College](/colleges/east-los-angeles-college)&nbspin Monterey Park, CA is the highest rated Child Development professor in America, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 Take a look at which institutions have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College often is a supremely consequential period in one's life; it's an occasion for individual progress and maturation. Undergraduates start to learn what they hope to do and build many of the crucial skills to be a flourishing member of society. But learning also happens outside a classroom environment - the late nights discussing James Baldwin with a schoolmate, the funny story gained from a tenured instructor, the exposure to a different point of view. As such, finding a diverse college greatly enhances what you gain from your time spent in university.

 Child Development is a slightly more ethnically diverse subject than average\*. 62% of the nation's Child Development majors are white students, followed by black students (13%), latino students (13%), and students of other races\*\*(10%). The most ethnically diverse college\* in the top 100 is [Mills College](/colleges/mills-college)&nbspin Oakland, CA.

 Additionally, Child Development is the the 10th most female dominated major, with female students out numbering male students by a 19 to 1 ratio. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is [University of Virginia-Main Campus](/colleges/university-of-virginia-main-campus) in Charlottesville, VA.

 Another important type of diversity is wealth diversity. Child Development ranks in the top 13% of focuses for financial diversity. 28% of its majors come from households with a sub $30,000 income, 17% are from households with $48,000 to $75,000 annual incomes, and 24% grew up in homes taking in over $110,000 a year. [University of Central Missouri](/colleges/university-of-central-missouri) has the most fiscally diverse student body in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall CA is the most diverse state for Child Development. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the Lone Star Conference is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 2%
* Black: 13%
* Latino: 13%
* White: 62%
* Other: 10%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 5%
* Female: 95%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 28%
* 30k - 48k: 15%
* 48k - 75k: 17%
* 75k - 110k: 16%
* Over 110k: 24%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 73%
* Out of State: 23%
* International: 3%


University of Virginia-Main Campus

Vanderbilt University

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Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Iowa State University

Michigan State University

Texas Tech University

Foothill College

Harding University

Ohio University-Main Campus

Appalachian State University

Point Loma Nazarene University

West Virginia University

Craven Community College

Mt San Antonio College

St Bonaventure University

Kansas State University

Washington State University

Mission College

University of North Texas

Southwestern Community College

Wayne Community College

MiraCosta College

Search for the best Child Development colleges according to your filter parameters.

2023 Child Development Salary

There are about 20,612 students enrolled in Child Development in the USA.

SALARY