Best Online Child Development Programs
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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.
- In-State$4,242
- Out-of-state$19,049
- In-State$4,839
- Out-of-state$18,271
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled19,280
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment23%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,543
- Out-of-state$24,074
- In-State$11,721
- Out-of-state$27,214
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled12,410
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
Point Loma Nazarene University
- San Diego, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$36,350
- Out-of-state$36,350
- In-State$11,880
- Out-of-state$11,880
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled4,567
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Central Michigan University
- Mount Pleasant, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$12,383
- Out-of-state$22,881
- In-State$16,700
- Out-of-state$16,700
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled19,362
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Florida
- Jacksonville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,996
- Out-of-state$16,799
- In-State$8,978
- Out-of-state$20,517
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate72%
- Students Enrolled17,117
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$32,458
- Out-of-state$32,458
- In-State$14,940
- Out-of-state$14,940
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled4,300
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$9,735
- Out-of-state$25,251
- In-State$10,212
- Out-of-state$23,050
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled21,719
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment27%
- AccreditationYes
Concordia University-Saint Paul
- Saint Paul, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$22,800
- Out-of-state$22,800
- In-State$8,550
- Out-of-state$8,550
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate98%
- Students Enrolled5,137
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Washington State University
- Pullman, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,953
- Out-of-state$24,531
- In-State$11,493
- Out-of-state$25,248
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled31,607
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment21%
- AccreditationYes
Southern New Hampshire University
- Manchester, NH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,756
- Out-of-state$30,756
- In-State$18,810
- Out-of-state$18,810
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled113,514
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- AccreditationYes
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We use datasets from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools and our methodologies. This ranking is from 2022. To learn more, check out our full ranking methodologies.
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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