College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

19 Ranked Colleges
1,633 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 17,542 people earned their degree in child development and psychology, making the major the 57th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, child development and psychology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,186 and had an average of $22,623 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 1,633 child development and psychology graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,872 and $22,258 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in child development and psychology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great child development and psychology programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Child Development Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The child development school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Child Development & Psychology (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 210 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WUSTL is $2,446 for Plains States Region Child Development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full WUSTL Child Development & Psychology Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 174 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,609 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 low undergrad 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%.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at UMN Twin Cities

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 20 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $11,386 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 89%.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at University of Missouri - Columbia

4
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Olaf College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This small school is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and it awarded 74 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Olaf not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend St. Olaf is $11,138 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 2 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,735 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Child Development & Psychology at North Dakota State University

6

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

Northwest not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,608 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwest.

Full Northwest Child Development & Psychology Report

7
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Kansas is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 58 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

KU also made our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $16,288 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at KU

8
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, Missouri

With a ranking of #8, Park University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Park University is a medium-sized school located in Parkville, Missouri that handed out 257 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

Park University also made our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Park University is $14,285 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Park University

9
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large school is located in Warrensburg, Missouri, and it awarded 69 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

UCM also made our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend UCM is $12,120 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Child Development & Psychology at University of Central Missouri

10
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 108 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for K -State is $14,653 for Plains States Region Child Development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at K -State

11
Luther crest
Luther College
Decorah, Iowa

Luther College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Luther is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decorah, Iowa. It awarded 32 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Luther, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Luther is $20,153 for Plains States Region Child Development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Luther

12
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s child development degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

SLU also took the #3 spot in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,755 for Plains States Region Child Development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SLU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Full SLU Child Development & Psychology Report

13

University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a medium-sized school located in Kearney, Nebraska that handed out 43 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

UNK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska at Kearney is $14,018 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Child Development & Psychology at UNK

14
Metro State crest
Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #14, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Metro State is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Metro State also made our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $15,185 for Plains States Region Child Development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Metropolitan State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Metro State Child Development & Psychology Report

15
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large private for-profit school handed out 143 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, Capella University has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking.

Full Capella University Child Development & Psychology Report

16
Augsburg crest
Augsburg University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Augsburg University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, Augsburg has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Augsburg University is $20,943 for Plains States Region Child Development students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Augsburg University

17
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, Iowa

Cornell College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cornell College is a small school located in Mount Vernon, Iowa that handed out 2 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cornell College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,628 for Plains States Region Child Development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cornell College.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Child Development & Psychology at Cornell College

18

Maryville University of Saint Louis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k list, Maryville U has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Maryville U is $22,167 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Maryville University of Saint Louis Child Development & Psychology Report

19
Creighton crest
Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child Development Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Creighton is a medium-sized school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 93 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

Creighton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Child Development & Psychology Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $24,655 for plains states region child development students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Creighton University.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Child Development & Psychology at Creighton

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options