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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Child Development & Psychology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

18 Ranked Colleges
1,011 Degrees Awarded
$14,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Child Development & Psychology is the 72nd most popular major in the country with 15,161 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, child development and psychology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $32,673 and had an average of $25,889 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,446 child development and psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,800 and $26,821 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,011 child development and psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 18 colleges that offer a degree in child development and psychology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent child development and psychology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the child development and psychology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Child Development & Psychology (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WUSTL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 148 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL also made our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $5,273 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Child Development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington University in St Louis.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full WUSTL Child Development & Psychology Report

#2

Carleton College

Northfield, Minnesota
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carleton College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and it awarded 41 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Carleton also took the #2 spot in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carleton College is $9,579 for plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Carleton

#3

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 104 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,266 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Child Development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Child Development & Psychology at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#4

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend St Olaf College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. St Olaf College is located in Northfield, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 65 bachelors’s child development degrees to qualified students.

St. Olaf not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,459 for plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Olaf.

The low student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at St. Olaf

#5

Grinnell College

Grinnell, Iowa
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grinnell College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Grinnell, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s child development students in 2019-2020.

Grinnell also took the #3 spot in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,945 for plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grinnell College.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Child Development & Psychology at Grinnell

#10 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 2 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $11,524 for plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at North Dakota State University

#7

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#9 in overall quality

Kansas State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kansas State University is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 80 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k list, K -State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,232 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Child Development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kansas State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Kansas State University Child Development & Psychology Report

#8

Macalester College

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

Macalester College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Macalester is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 bachelors’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Macalester did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Macalester is $10,158 for plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Child Development & Psychology at Macalester College

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwest is a medium-sized school located in Maryville, Missouri that handed out 54 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwest, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $9,990 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Child Development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Child Development & Psychology at Northwest

#10

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

Park University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Park University is located in Parkville, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 233 bachelors’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Park University also made our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Park University is $13,622 for plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Park University Child Development & Psychology Report

#11

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. UCM is a medium-sized public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 57 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

UCM also made our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $10,608 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Child Development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Central Missouri.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at UCM

#12

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#11 in overall quality

University of Kansas ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. KU is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 29 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for KU is $14,387 for plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Child Development & Psychology at University of Kansas

#13

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, Iowa
#13 in overall quality

Cornell College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Mount Vernon, Iowa. It awarded 6 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cornell College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cornell College is $20,458 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Child Development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Cornell College Child Development & Psychology Report

#14

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Metropolitan State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Metro State is a medium-sized public school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 17 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

Metro State also made our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Metropolitan State University is $14,388 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Child Development students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Metropolitan State University

#15

Luther College

Decorah, Iowa
#5 in overall quality

Luther College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Decorah, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s child development degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

Luther not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Luther College is $16,636 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Child Development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Luther College Child Development & Psychology Report

#16

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#12 in overall quality

Augsburg University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Augsburg University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Augsburg did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $21,179 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Child Development students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Augsburg University.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Augsburg

#17

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska
#8 in overall quality

Creighton University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Creighton University is a medium-sized school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 76 bachelors’s child development degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k list, Creighton has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Creighton University is $24,458 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Child Development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full Creighton Child Development & Psychology Report

#18

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

Maryville University of Saint Louis ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Child Development Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified bachelors’s child development students in 2019-2020.

Maryville U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Maryville University of Saint Louis is $23,479 for plains states region bachelor’s degree child development students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Maryville University of Saint Louis Child Development & Psychology Report

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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