Best Child Development colleges in the U.S. 2024

Written by Tien Rooney

For students interested in studying the mental and physical development of children, early childhood education and child psychology are two similar tracks that focus on the biological and intellectual aspects of human development.

Most programs include theoretical lecture-style classes and interactive labs that allow students to observe and work directly with children through an academic lens to study how they learn, socialize, and communicate at varying stages of their early childhood.

Graduates from early childhood development programs typically enter the industry with strong verbal and written communication skills and the confidence to build relationships with parental figures. Most programs include a range of classes including:

  • Parent-child relations
  • Parenting practices
  • Special needs
  • Health
  • Nutrition
  • Ethics

In addition to the typical credit requirements, students often need to prepare for their practicum before graduation.

There’s good news on the career front as well. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the employment of childcare workers is expected to grow 8 percent through 2030, with just under one million jobs nationwide. Since a degree in child development is extremely versatile, child development students can venture off into education, community and social services, government, healthcare, communication, or business. However, the majority of child development degree holders end up in daycare centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools with careers as child life specialists, counselors, caregivers, social workers, and occupational therapists.

Given the applicability of this major, graduates have the flexibility to pursue roles in a variety of sectors including education, community, social services, government, healthcare, or business. Graduates can look into opportunities locally at daycare centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools to work alongside counselors, social workers, and even occupational therapists.

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Best Child Development colleges in the U.S. for 2024

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University offers 1 Child Development degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 2 Child Development students graduated with students earning 2 Master's degrees.

Miles College
Fairfield, AL

Miles College offers 1 Child Development degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 9 Child Development students graduated with students earning 9 Bachelor's degrees.

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University of Mobile offers 1 Child Development degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a outlying rural area. In 2022, 4 Child Development students graduated with students earning 4 Bachelor's degrees.

University of Alaska Anchorage offers 2 Child Development degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 9 Child Development students graduated with students earning 9 Certificates.

University of Alaska Fairbanks offers 2 Child Development degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2022, 9 Child Development students graduated with students earning 9 Bachelor's degrees.

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Arizona State University Campus Immersion offers 1 Child Development degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city.

Arizona Western College offers 1 Child Development degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a small city.

Central Arizona College offers 2 Child Development degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a outlying rural area.

Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College offers 1 Child Development degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large city.

Arizona Christian University offers 1 Child Development degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb.

List of all Child Development colleges in the U.S.

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
Madonna University Logo Madonna University Livonia, MI
5/5
24 : 1 2,109
Motlow State Community College Logo Motlow State Community College Tullahoma, TN
2/5
45 : 1 5,636
University of Rochester Logo University of Rochester Rochester, NY
5/5
15 : 1 12,197
Bennington College Logo Bennington College Bennington, VT
5/5
15 : 1 880
Miles College Logo Miles College Fairfield, AL
3/5
19 : 1 1,258