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2024 Best Child Development & Psychology Schools

181 Colleges in the United States
17,542 Child Development Degrees Awarded
$34,186 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in child development & psychology, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #57 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 181 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for child development & psychology students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 17,542 degrees in child development & psychology to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Child Development & Psychology School

Best Child Development & Psychology Schools Your choice of child development & psychology school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for child development & psychology schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Child Development & Psychology Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Child Development
Bachelor's Degrees in Child Development
Master's Degrees in Child Development
Doctor's Degrees in Child Development

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 the Best Child Development & Psychology Schools. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.


 

Best Schools for Child Development & Psychology in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of child development degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Child Development

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In PA
153 Child Development Degrees Awarded

It is difficult to beat University of Pennsylvania if you want to pursue a degree in child development & psychology. UPenn is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were roughly 153 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of Pennsylvania

2
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NC
140 Child Development Degrees Awarded

Duke University is a great option for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Durham. A Best Colleges rank of #7 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Duke is a great university overall.

There were approximately 140 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Duke University

3
Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
88 Child Development Degrees Awarded
$53,927 Median Starting Salary

Harvard University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in child development & psychology. Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #6 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Harvard is a great university overall.

There were roughly 88 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year. Child Development & Psychology degree recipients from Harvard University receive an earnings boost of approximately $19,741 over the typical earnings of child development & psychology graduates.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Harvard University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In MO
210 Child Development Degrees Awarded

Washington University in St Louis is a good decision for students pursuing a degree in child development & psychology. WUSTL is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were approximately 210 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Washington University in St Louis

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
189 Child Development Degrees Awarded
18.0% Growth in Graduates

Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 189 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the child development & psychology major at Columbia University in the City of New York earn $7,720 above the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Columbia University in the City of New York

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In IN
26.1% Growth in Graduates

Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Notre Dame. This university ranks 1st out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were approximately 23 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of Notre Dame

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
122 Child Development Degrees Awarded
23.0% Growth in Graduates

UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were roughly 122 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available. Those child development & psychology students who get their degree from University of Chicago receive $5,989 more than the typical child development grad.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of Chicago

8
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
43 Child Development Degrees Awarded
$45,198 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Princeton, Princeton is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #10 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Princeton is a great university overall.

There were about 43 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Princeton in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the child development & psychology major at Princeton University get $11,012 above the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Princeton University

9
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
675 Child Development Degrees Awarded
$40,535 Median Starting Salary

NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. This university ranks 4th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 675 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. Those child development & psychology students who get their degree from New York University make $6,349 more than the standard child development grad.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from New York University

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
561 Child Development Degrees Awarded
12.8% Growth in Graduates

UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the large city of Seattle. This university ranks 1st out of 51 colleges for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were approximately 561 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the child development program state that they receive average early career income of $34,429.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

11
Brown crest
Brown University
Providence, RI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
73 Child Development Degrees Awarded
$37,636 Median Starting Salary

Brown is a large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Providence. This university ranks 1st out of 9 schools for overall quality in the state of Rhode Island.

There were approximately 73 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Brown in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the child development & psychology program at Brown University make $3,450 above the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Brown University

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
16th Most Popular In NY

Located in the small city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 21 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Cornell University

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
800 Child Development Degrees Awarded
10.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 15th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 800 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the child development program earn an average of $27,585 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of California - Irvine

14
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TN
42 Child Development Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #19 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Vanderbilt is a great university overall.

There were approximately 42 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Vanderbilt University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
749 Child Development Degrees Awarded
$30,126 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were roughly 749 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the child development program report average early career earnings of $30,126.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
14th Most Popular In CA

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 9 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of Southern California

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In PA
446 Child Development Degrees Awarded

Pitt is a very large public university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. This university ranks 7th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 446 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
98 Child Development Degrees Awarded
$42,397 Median Starting Salary

Teachers College is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #12 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Teachers College is a great university overall.

There were roughly 98 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the child development & psychology major at Teachers College at Columbia University earn $8,211 above the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Teachers College at Columbia University

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
578 Child Development Degrees Awarded
$28,978 Median Starting Salary

UCSB is a very large public university located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara. This university ranks 10th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 578 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the child development program make an average of $28,978 for their early career.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of California - Santa Barbara

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
201 Child Development Degrees Awarded
63.7% Growth in Graduates

University of Rochester is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Rochester. This university ranks 8th out of 142 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 201 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at University of Rochester in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the child development program state that they receive average early career income of $36,115.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of Rochester

21
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In IL
18.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were roughly 22 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Northwestern University

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
326 Child Development Degrees Awarded
11.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were about 326 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients typically make around $30,168 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of California - Berkeley

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DC
166 Child Development Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 8 schools for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were approximately 166 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from George Washington University

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
49 Child Development Degrees Awarded
22.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 49 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year. Child Development & Psychology degree recipients from Ohio State University - Main Campus get an earnings boost of approximately $39,060 over the average income of child development & psychology graduates.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from Ohio State University - Main Campus

25
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
622 Child Development Degrees Awarded
5.1% Growth in Graduates

UIUC is a very large public university located in the city of Champaign. This university ranks 3rd out of 85 colleges for overall quality in the state of Illinois.

There were about 622 child development & psychology students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the child development program state that they receive average early career income of $28,388.

More information about a degree in child development & psychology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Rest of the Top Best Child Development & Psychology Schools

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Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Child Development & Psychology students that almost earned our Best Child Development & Psychology Schools award.

Rank College Location
28 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
29 Colgate University Hamilton, NY
30 University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA
31 Fordham University Bronx, NY
32 Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX
33 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
34 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
35 Tufts University Medford, MA
36 Brandeis University Waltham, MA

Child Development & Psychology by Region

View the Best Child Development & Psychology Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 24 majors within the Psychology area of study, Child Development & Psychology has other similar majors worth exploring.

Child Development Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Other Research & Experimental Psychology 10,153
Experimental Psychology 3,211
Developmental & Child Psychology 1,419
Behavioral Neuroscience 1,383
Social Psychology 982
Cognitive Psychology & Psycholinguistics 245
Psychometrics & Quantitative Psychology 96
Comparative Psychology 24
Personality Psychology 18
Psychopharmacology 11

View All Child Development Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
General Psychology 141,695
Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology 33,758
Other Psychology 2,683

View All Child Development Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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