Best institutions to study Child Development
A program that focuses on the intellectual, social, emotional, and biological development of children and the planning and design of related human services.
224 U.S. institutions graduated 4,749 Child Development students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0706, a specialization of Human Development (CIP 19.07), and leads most directly to the Childcare Workers occupation (BLS SOC 39-9011).
About Child Development programs
A program that focuses on the intellectual, social, emotional, and biological development of children and the planning and design of related human services. Includes instruction in parent-child relations, parenting practices, special needs of children, parental and environmental influences on child development, external support services, and related public policy issues.
See also: 42.2703 - Developmental and Child Psychology., 42.2710 - Developmental and Adolescent Psychology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Child Development program, a part of Human Development, focuses on the comprehensive growth of children, addressing their intellectual, social, emotional, and biological development. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about understanding child development and those interested in supporting families and communities through various human services.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and active listening, alongside knowledge in customer service, psychology, and education. Coursework covers topics such as parent-child relations, special needs of children, and public policy issues related to child development.
Credentials awarded
What Child Development graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,762 graduates / yr · 71 institutions37%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,319 graduates / yr · 92 institutions28%
- Associate's degree775 graduates / yr · 74 institutions16%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years463 graduates / yr · 35 institutions9.7%
- Master's degree274 graduates / yr · 16 institutions5.8%
- Award of less than 12 weeks84 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate68 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
Graduates over time
Child Development completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4,314 |
| 2013 | 4,366 |
| 2014 | 4,404 |
| 2015 | 4,543 |
| 2016 | 4,433 |
| 2017 | 4,404 |
| 2018 | 4,517 |
| 2019 | 4,141 |
| 2020 | 4,159 |
| 2021 | 4,587 |
| 2022 | 4,365 |
| 2023 | 4,298 |
| 2024 | 4,543 |
| 2025 | 4,749 |
Top 50 institutions for Child Development, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor's | 206 | 69% | — | $30,205 |
| 2 | California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CAPublicBachelor's | 191 | 55% | — | — |
| 3 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TXPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 157 | 49% | — | $30,619 |
| 4 | Tulsa Community College Tulsa, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 122 | 28% | — | $33,103 |
| 5 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicBachelor's | 102 | 57% | — | — |
| 6 | Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College Ruidoso, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 92 | 29% | — | — |
| 7 | Post University Waterbury, CTPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 87 | 25% | $14,659 | $28,745 |
| 8 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 85 | 33% | — | — |
| 9 | Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 81 | 50% | $14,298 | $32,957 |
| 10 | Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 76 | 94% | $23,570 | $44,345 |
| 11 | San Jacinto Community College Pasadena, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 72 | 30% | — | — |
| 12 | Erikson Institute Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 68 | — | — | — |
| 13 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicBachelor's | 66 | 11% | $26,445 | $36,944 |
| 14 | Community College of Allegheny County Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 66 | 24% | — | $28,078 |
| 15 | Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 64 | 77% | $48,795 | $27,037 |
| 16 | South Texas College McAllen, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 62 | 27% | — | $19,971 |
| 17 | Texarkana College Texarkana, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 60 | 47% | — | — |
| 18 | University of La Verne La Verne, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 57 | 63% | $45,461 | — |
| 19 | Charter Oak State College New Britain, CTPublicBachelor's | 54 | 67% | — | — |
| 20 | San Antonio College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 54 | 26% | — | — |
| 21 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CAPublicAssociate's | 51 | 62% | — | — |
| 22 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 51 | 59% | — | $35,318 |
| 23 | Redlands Community College El Reno, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 50 | 35% | — | — |
| 24 | Shoreline College Shoreline, WAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 29% | — | — |
| 25 | Rose State College Midwest City, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 48 | 20% | — | — |
| 26 | El Paso Community College El Paso, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 48 | 24% | — | — |
| 27 | Dyersburg State Community College Dyersburg, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 47 | 34% | — | — |
| 28 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg Parkersburg, WVPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 47 | 9% | — | — |
| 29 | Alamance Community College Graham, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 44 | 39% | — | — |
| 30 | Seminole State College Seminole, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 44 | 40% | — | — |
| 31 | Roane State Community College Harriman, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 43 | 36% | — | — |
| 32 | Angelina College Lufkin, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 41 | 29% | — | — |
| 33 | Stanly Community College Albemarle, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 48% | — | — |
| 34 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 38 | 55% | $6,760 | $21,619 |
| 35 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MOPublicBachelor's | 37 | 54% | — | $32,574 |
| 36 | Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 37 | 27% | — | — |
| 37 | McLennan Community College Waco, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 37 | 39% | — | — |
| 38 | Whatcom Community College Bellingham, WAPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 36% | — | — |
| 39 | Carl Albert State College Poteau, OKPublicAssociate's | 35 | 43% | — | $21,625 |
| 40 | Rowan - Cabarrus Community College Salisbury, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 35% | — | — |
| 41 | Nashville State Community College Nashville, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 34 | 18% | — | — |
| 42 | Davidson - Davie Community College Thomasville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 33 | 46% | — | $22,448 |
| 43 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicBachelor's | 33 | 96% | — | $34,533 |
| 44 | Baker College Owosso, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 32 | 36% | $15,493 | $36,494 |
| 45 | James Sprunt Community College Kenansville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 32 | 48% | — | — |
| 46 | Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville, ARPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 49% | — | — |
| 47 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CAPublicBachelor's | 30 | 49% | — | — |
| 48 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 30 | 34% | — | — |
| 49 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 29 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 50 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 56% | — | $30,675 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Human Development field (CIP 19.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 38 states
Where Child Development graduates come from. Each state links to all Human Development programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 39-9011, Childcare Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Child Development program can pursue careers as childcare workers, preschool teachers, and other related fields. With approximately 160,200 annual openings in related occupations, the job outlook reflects a slight decline of 2.9%. The median wage for these positions is around $32,050, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.0706
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Childcare Workersprimary SOC 39-9011 | $34,980 | -2.9% Decline | ~160,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2011 | $38,140 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~65,500 | Associate's degree |
Psychologists, All Other SOC 19-3039 | $110,840 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~3,900 | Master's degree |
Farm and Home Management Educators SOC 25-9021 | $60,220 | -2.5% Decline | ~1,100 | Master's degree |
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1192 | $75,870 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
SOC 25-9042 | — | — | — | — |
SOC 25-9043 | — | — | — | — |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Child Development programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Maintain a safe play environment.
- Observe and monitor children's play activities.
- Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.
- Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
- Care for children in institutional setting, such as group homes, nursery schools, private businesses, or schools for people with disabilities.
- Sanitize toys and play equipment.
Tools and technology used
Other Human Development specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Human Development (CIP 19.07).
- Child Care Provider/CIP 19.0709
Assistant 23,628 graduates / yr397 institutions - Human Development and Family StudiesCIP 19.07019,267 graduates / yr172 institutions
- Child Care and Support Services ManagementCIP 19.07084,048 graduates / yr236 institutions
- Family and Community ServicesCIP 19.07071,706 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Family SystemsCIP 19.0704903 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Early Childhood and Family StudiesCIP 19.0711489 graduates / yr22 institutions
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesCIP 19.0799424 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Adult Development and AgingCIP 19.0702220 graduates / yr34 institutions
- Parent Education ServicesCIP 19.0712partial data157 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Developmental Services WorkerCIP 19.071078 graduates / yr11 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Child Development?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or various awards ranging from 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, active listening, and communication.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Possible careers include childcare workers, preschool teachers, and family and consumer sciences educators.
What is the job outlook for Child Development graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2.9%, with approximately 160,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Child Development?+
Child Development is CIP 19.0706 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Human Development (CIP 19.07). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the intellectual, social, emotional, and biological development of children and the planning and design of related human services. Includes instruction in parent-child relations, parenting practices, special needs of children, parental and environmental influences on child development, external support services, and related public policy issues.
How many institutions offer Child Development programs?+
224 U.S. institutions reported Child Development graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 38 states, awarding 4,749 credentials in the year. That is 10.4% of all Human Development graduates.
How much do Child Development graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Childcare Workers occupation, which Child Development most directly leads to, pays a median of $34,980 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Human Development field report median earnings of $32,306 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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