Child Development: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Child Development is a comprehensive academic field dedicated to understanding the multifaceted growth of children from infancy through adolescence. This program explores the interplay of cognitive, emotional, social, and physiological factors that shape development, while preparing students to design and implement effective support systems within communities and institutions.
- Intellectual Development: Examines how children acquire knowledge, problem-solving skills, and language abilities across different stages of life.
- Social and Emotional Growth: Investigates the formation of identity, emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships, and moral reasoning in young individuals.
- Biological and Physical Development: Studies the physiological changes, motor skill acquisition, and neurological maturation that occur during childhood.
- Parent-Child Relations: Analyzes the dynamics of family interactions, attachment patterns, and the impact of caregiving on long-term developmental outcomes.
- Parenting Practices: Evaluates evidence-based strategies for nurturing, discipline, and fostering healthy child development across diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts.
- Special Needs in Child Development: Focuses on recognizing and supporting children with developmental delays, learning differences, and neurodivergent conditions.
- Environmental Influences: Explores how family, school, community, and societal factors shape a child’s developmental trajectory.
- External Support Services: Covers the design, evaluation, and coordination of programs such as early intervention, childcare, mental health services, and youth outreach.
- Public Policy and Advocacy: Engages with legislation, funding models, and systemic approaches that impact child welfare, education, and access to developmental resources.
Child Development Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Child Development Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Child Development degrees, including Psychologists, All Other, Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Farm and Home Management Educators. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 995,940 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychologists, All Other 19-3039 | $117,580 | $51,410 - $163,570 | 17,790 | $56.53 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1192 | $77,280 | $47,580 - $133,180 | 2,630 | N/A |
| Farm and Home Management Educators 25-9021 | $58,120 | $36,780 - $85,230 | 10,260 | $27.94 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2011 | $37,120 | $28,300 - $60,070 | 445,080 | $17.85 |
| Childcare Workers 39-9011 | $32,050 | $22,900 - $44,560 | 520,180 | $15.41 |
Child Development Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $35,755 in West Virginia to $92,924 in California—a 160% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Oklahoma, and Idaho. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 995,940 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Child Development by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Child Development programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Child Development is found at California State University (CSUSB), San Bernardino (186 graduates), Texas Woman's University (TWU) (170 graduates), Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) (134 graduates), Tulsa Community College (TCC) (124 graduates), and California State University (CSULB), Long Beach (109 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,898 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Bachelor's
|
186 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
170 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) |
Other Award
|
134 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | faytechcc.edu |
| Tulsa Community College (TCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
124 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsacc.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
|
109 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Post University |
Bachelor's
|
87 | Waterbury, Connecticut | Private | post.edu |
| Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) |
Other Award
|
83 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | waketech.edu |
| Ashford University (UAGC) |
Bachelor's
|
81 | San Diego, California | Private | uagc.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
80 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
78 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| Fresno Pacific University (FPU) |
Bachelor's
|
68 | Fresno, California | Private | fresno.edu |
| Angelina College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
66 | Lufkin, Texas | Public | angelina.edu |
| Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) |
Bachelor's
|
65 | San Diego, California | Private | pointloma.edu |
| South Texas College (STC) |
Other Award
|
63 | McAllen, Texas | Public | southtexascollege.edu |
| San Jacinto Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
57 | Pasadena, Texas | Public | sanjac.edu |
| Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
56 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | occc.edu |
| University of La Verne |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
55 | La Verne, California | Private | laverne.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVUP) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
52 | Parkersburg, West Virginia | Public | wvup.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Rose State College (RSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
51 | Midwest City, Oklahoma | Public | rose.edu |
| Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
49 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | ccac.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
49 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
48 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
47 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| San Antonio College (SAC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
46 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Bachelor's
|
44 | Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| Connors State College (CSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
43 | Warner, Oklahoma | Public | connorsstate.edu |
| El Paso Community College (EPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
43 | El Paso, Texas | Public | epcc.edu |
| Seminole State College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
42 | Seminole, Oklahoma | Public | sscok.edu |
| Redlands Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | El Reno, Oklahoma | Public | redlandscc.edu |
| Roane State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
40 | Harriman, Tennessee | Public | roanestate.edu |
| Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Dyersburg, Tennessee | Public | dscc.edu |
| Nashville State Community College (NSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
38 | Nashville, Tennessee | Public | nscc.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Master's
Other Award
|
35 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) |
Other Award
|
35 | Salisbury, North Carolina | Public | rccc.edu |
| South Plains College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
35 | Levelland, Texas | Public | southplainscollege.edu |
| Stanly Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
34 | Albemarle, North Carolina | Public | stanly.edu |
| Blinn College District |
Associate's
Other Award
|
34 | Brenham, Texas | Public | blinn.edu |
| Erikson Institute |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
34 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | erikson.edu |
| Arkansas Tech University (ATU) |
Associate's
|
33 | Russellville, Arkansas | Public | atu.edu |
| University of Arkansas (UAM) |
Other Award
|
31 | Monticello, Arkansas | Public | uamont.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Other Award
|
31 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Bowie State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Bowie, Maryland | Public | bowiestate.edu |
| Concordia University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
30 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | csp.edu |
| Laredo College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
30 | Laredo, Texas | Public | laredo.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | ncat.edu |
| Skagit Valley College (SVC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
29 | Mount Vernon, Washington | Public | skagit.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Arcata, California | Public | humboldt.edu |
| Charter Oak State College |
Bachelor's
|
28 | New Britain, Connecticut | Public | charteroak.edu |
| Northeast State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
27 | Blountville, Tennessee | Public | northeaststate.edu |
| Houston Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
27 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Texas A&M University |
Bachelor's
|
26 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | tamusa.edu |
| Santa Clara University (SCU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Santa Clara, California | Private | scu.edu |
| Meredith College |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Private | meredith.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| Tarrant County College District (TCCD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Fort Worth, Texas | Public | tccd.edu |
| Whatcom Community College (WCC) |
Residency
|
25 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | whatcom.edu |
| Baker College |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
24 | Owosso, Michigan | Private | baker.edu |
| Dallas College |
Associate's
|
24 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| Johnston Community College (JCC) |
Other Award
|
23 | Smithfield, North Carolina | Public | johnstoncc.edu |
| Randolph Community College (RCC) |
Other Award
|
23 | Asheboro, North Carolina | Public | randolph.edu |
| Lane Community College |
Other Award
|
23 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | lanecc.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
22 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
| Saint Louis Community College (STLCC) |
Associate's
|
22 | Bridgeton, Missouri | Public | stlcc.edu |
| Cameron University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Lawton, Oklahoma | Public | cameron.edu |
| Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
22 | Altus, Oklahoma | Public | wosc.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Lee College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Baytown, Texas | Public | lee.edu |
| Midland College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Midland, Texas | Public | midland.edu |
| Moravian University |
Postbac Cert.
|
20 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | moravian.edu |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
19 | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Public | uaptc.edu |
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Other Award
|
18 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Master's
|
18 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) |
Other Award
|
18 | Flat Rock, North Carolina | Public | blueridge.edu |
| Alamance Community College (ACC) |
Other Award
|
18 | Graham, North Carolina | Public | alamancecc.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
18 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Converse University |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Private | converse.edu |
| Southwest Texas Junior College (SWTJC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
17 | Uvalde, Texas | Public | swtjc.edu |
| Ozarka College |
Other Award
|
16 | Melbourne, Arkansas | Public | ozarka.edu |
| University of Arkansas Community College (UACCM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Morrilton, Arkansas | Public | uaccm.edu |
| Amarillo College |
Associate's
|
16 | Amarillo, Texas | Public | actx.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Other Award
|
16 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| Whittier College |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Whittier, California | Private | whittier.edu |
| Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) |
Other Award
|
15 | Henderson, North Carolina | Public | vgcc.edu |
| Reading Area Community College (RACC) |
Associate's
|
15 | Reading, Pennsylvania | Public | racc.edu |
| Chattanooga State Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | chattanoogastate.edu |
| Point University |
Associate's
|
14 | West Point, Georgia | Private | point.edu |
| Oklahoma Christian University (OC) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Private | oc.edu |
| Tyler Junior College (TJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Tyler, Texas | Public | tjc.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Master's
|
13 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| Isothermal Community College (ICC) |
Other Award
|
13 | Spindale, North Carolina | Public | isothermal.edu |
| Robeson Community College (RCC) |
Other Award
|
13 | Lumberton, North Carolina | Public | robeson.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Child Development programs
How much can I earn with a Child Development degree?
Salaries for Child Development graduates vary by role and location. Psychologists, All Other earn a median of $117,580 annually, while Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $77,280. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $92,924 compared to $35,755 in West Virginia. Approximately 995,940 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Child Development programs?
Currently 221 accredited institutions offer Child Development degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include California State University (CSUSB), San Bernardino (186 graduates), Texas Woman's University (TWU) (170 graduates), and Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) (134 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Child Development growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 4,080 in 2010 to 4,599 in 2023-24. This represents a 13% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Child Development degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Psychologists, All Other, Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and Farm and Home Management Educators. Related occupations employ approximately 995,940 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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