Best Online Child Development Programs
Our experts have ranked the top online bachelor’s in child development programs. Use the information below to compare schools by cost, convenience, and academic quality. Find your path forward today.
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
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Earning a bachelor’s in child development can lead to career opportunities in this field and in many related positions. So whether you like working with kids or shaping the next generation of leaders, this may be the path for you.
Most bachelor’s in child development programs require approximately 120 credits and take around four years of full-time study to complete. And while college can be expensive, you can often save money on tuition and fees by enrolling in online programs.
Read on to learn more about bachelor’s in child development programs, including admission requirements, coursework, and potential careers.
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC4 yearCampus + Online
$4,242
$19,049
77%
23%
$4,839
$18,271
88%
19,280
Public
Yes
$4,242
$19,049
Boone, NC4 yearCampus + Online
$4,242
$19,049
77%
23%
$4,839
$18,271
88%
19,280
Public
Yes
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$6,543
$24,074
96%
31%
$11,721
$27,214
70%
12,410
Public
Yes
$6,543
$24,074
Cheney, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$6,543
$24,074
96%
31%
$11,721
$27,214
70%
12,410
Public
Yes
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$36,350
$36,350
74%
26%
$11,880
$11,880
88%
4,567
Private
Yes
$36,350
$36,350
San Diego, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$36,350
$36,350
74%
26%
$11,880
$11,880
88%
4,567
Private
Yes
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI4 yearCampus + Online
$12,383
$22,881
70%
40%
$16,700
$16,700
74%
19,362
Public
Yes
$12,383
$22,881
Mount Pleasant, MI4 yearCampus + Online
$12,383
$22,881
70%
40%
$16,700
$16,700
74%
19,362
Public
Yes
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$3,996
$16,799
72%
57%
$8,978
$20,517
83%
17,117
Public
Yes
$3,996
$16,799
Jacksonville, FL4 yearCampus + Online
$3,996
$16,799
72%
57%
$8,978
$20,517
83%
17,117
Public
Yes
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$32,458
$32,458
66%
40%
$14,940
$14,940
74%
4,300
Private
Yes
$32,458
$32,458
Fresno, CA4 yearCampus + Online
$32,458
$32,458
66%
40%
$14,940
$14,940
74%
4,300
Private
Yes
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS4 yearCampus + Online
$9,735
$25,251
95%
27%
$10,212
$23,050
86%
21,719
Public
Yes
$9,735
$25,251
Manhattan, KS4 yearCampus + Online
$9,735
$25,251
95%
27%
$10,212
$23,050
86%
21,719
Public
Yes
Concordia University-Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN4 yearCampus + Online
$22,800
$22,800
98%
59%
$8,550
$8,550
64%
5,137
Private
Yes
$22,800
$22,800
Saint Paul, MN4 yearCampus + Online
$22,800
$22,800
98%
59%
$8,550
$8,550
64%
5,137
Private
Yes
Washington State University
Pullman, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$9,953
$24,531
76%
21%
$11,493
$25,248
79%
31,607
Public
Yes
$9,953
$24,531
Pullman, WA4 yearCampus + Online
$9,953
$24,531
76%
21%
$11,493
$25,248
79%
31,607
Public
Yes
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH4 yearCampus + Online
$30,756
$30,756
88%
94%
$18,810
$18,810
65%
113,514
Private
Yes
$30,756
$30,756
Manchester, NH4 yearCampus + Online
$30,756
$30,756
88%
94%
$18,810
$18,810
65%
113,514
Private
Yes
Online Child Development Degree Overview
An online bachelor’s in child development program suits empathetic, patient learners. You should enjoy working with children and want to help them reach their full potential.
Throughout the program, you can develop the practical communication skills and the theoretical knowledge you need to advance in your child development careers and help children thrive.
Most online bachelor’s in child development programs take four years of full-time study to complete. Most curricula consist of approximately 120 credits.
The coursework pulls from various fields like biology, psychology, and sociology to delve into the cultural, social, and medical factors that can affect the ways children develop and learn.
Possible concentrations within child development programs include counseling and family services, early childhood education, and juvenile delinquency.
Many programs include a practicum, internship, or fieldwork experience in a child development setting. Students who enroll in online programs can usually arrange to complete these experiences at sites in their local communities.
What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degree?
Let’s be real, students usually don’t pursue degrees in child development for money. In most cases, they seek a career where they can have an impact on children’s lives and help them thrive. According to the BLS, preschool and childcare center directors earned a median annual salary of $54,290, as of May 2023.
See where a bachelor’s in child development can take you. Learn more about education careers.
| Job | Median Salary (2023) |
|---|---|
| Preschool or Child Care Director | $54,290 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,680 |
| Preschool Teacher | $37,130 |
| Special Education Teacher, Preschool | $65,270 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $62,690 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Bachelor’s in Child Development Programs
The value of any college degree depends on you. However, many graduates find that a bachelor’s in child development is worth the investment.
A bachelor’s in child development can provide a pathway to rewarding, stable, and in-demand careers for those who want to work with and help children. You can pursue entry-level employment in several educational settings.
You can also prepare to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees that may lead to managerial and other leadership positions in the field.
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