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 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree analyzed schools to compile 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 earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Located in Hays, KS, Fort Hays State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $25,967. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,928 ten years after entry. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Fort Hays State University
You'll get strong value at The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Los Angeles, CA, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. More on The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #4 on this year's best-value Child Development Psychology ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Springfield, MO. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Missouri State University Springfield Child Development Psychology students take on a median of $24,408 in debt. Missouri State University Springfield alumni report median earnings of $49,827 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield has an acceptance rate of 90%. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield
You'll get strong value at Henderson State University, which ranked #5 this year. Henderson State University is a public school based in Arkadelphia, AR. Students from in state pay about $8,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,620. Students borrow a median of $23,234 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Henderson State University alumni report median earnings of $43,459 a decade after entry. Set against $23,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Henderson State University
Texas Tech University placed #6 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,454. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Texas Tech University
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a public school based in Edinburg, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $14,694. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,620. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. See the full The University Of Texas Pan American profile
Ball State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Based in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. 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. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Ball State University
East Carolina University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. East Carolina University is a public school based in Greenville, NC. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $24,747. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants. Read more about East Carolina University
Fayetteville State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. This public school is set in Fayetteville, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete their Child Development Psychology program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,144 ten years after entry. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read more about Fayetteville State University
University Of Nevada Las Vegas offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Las Vegas, NV. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $21,181. Median earnings reach $55,037 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas profile
Duke University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $12,125. Median earnings reach $97,800 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%. Read more about Duke University
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,424 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 50%. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
Cuny Hunter College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,163 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%. See the full Cuny Hunter College profile
Stony Brook University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Stony Brook, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $20,537. Median earnings reach $74,502 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 49% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Stony Brook University report
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. 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. Typical Child Development Psychology student debt is $20,500. Median earnings reach $102,491 ten years out. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
University Of Connecticut ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. This public school is set in Storrs, CT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. The median Child Development Psychology program debt is $23,199. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,997 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Connecticut
Williams College
Williams College placed #17 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. Get the full Williams College report
Kansas State University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Kansas State University report
Washington State University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Washington State University
Niagara University landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Niagara University
Stetson University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. See the full Stetson University profile
Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #22 among the best-value Child Development Psychology schools in the United States. More on Tulane University Of Louisiana
Brigham Young University Provo offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. More on Brigham Young University Provo
Cornerstone University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Read the full report on Cornerstone University
Earlham College
Earlham College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. See the full Earlham College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Child Development Psychology Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Mcpherson College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. More on Mcpherson College
Scripps College
Scripps College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Read more about Scripps College
St Francis College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Get the full St Francis College report
Creighton University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. See the full Creighton University profile
Emory University
Emory University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Get the full Emory University report
Gannon University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. See the full Gannon University profile
Lesley University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. More on Lesley University
The College Of Wooster ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Read the full report on The College Of Wooster
California State University Northridge ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. See the full The University Of Texas At Arlington profile
University Of Central Missouri came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Central Missouri
Wellesley College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Wellesley College
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Ozarks Technical Community College
Wesleyan University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Get the full Wesleyan University report
Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Bowdoin College profile
Lafayette College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Lafayette College report
Southern Adventist University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Southern Adventist University
University Of Kentucky ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
University Of Denver offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. See the full University Of Denver profile
Illinois Institute Of Technology landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Illinois Institute Of Technology
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Child Development Psychology schools. Read more about Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Bay Path College
Bay Path College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Bay Path College
Emmanuel College Massachusetts landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Montclair State University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. See the full Montclair State University profile
Related Child Development Psychology Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Child Development Psychology Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Child Development Psychology Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Child Development Psychology Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Child Development Psychology Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Child Development Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Child Development Psychology Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Child Development Psychology Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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
- 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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