2024 Best Colleges with Developmental and Child Psychology Degrees in America

• Nashville, TN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  1,342 reviews

Alum: I graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 2021 with a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience. I primarily chose to attend Vandy for its academic prowess, and it definitely lived up to that reputation. In retrospect, I loved the majority of my STEM classes, and I find that my education was well-rounded because of my required liberal arts classes. The campus is beautiful, the food is relatively good, and on-campus housing is average. Admittedly, I was excited to live off-campus for my last two years (but beware - living in Nashville is not cheap). Socially, I had a great time at Vandy, especially thanks to the liveliness of Nashville, but sadly not due to Vanderbilt sports - this is not their strong suit. I met lifelong friends at this school! Realistically, however, many students do come from wealthy backgrounds, which can be off-putting at times. Ultimately, while undeniably expensive, Vanderbilt is a great school that will certainly work to your advantage after graduation.... Read 1,342 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 7%

• Net price $27,553

• SAT range 1480-1570

• College Station, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  7,712 reviews

Alum: Texas A&M is a great place to get an education and make friends and professional connections. The opportunities to get involved in research, service, teaching, and internships are vast! The culture is unique and friendly overall, and it is easy to find your niche and family here. People come from all over Texas and the world and enrich the campus discussions. The professors are usually organized, excellent communicators, and very willing to help students. Classes can be pretty big, so it's important to stay engaged. The dorms and apartments I have lived in (Lechner, Davis-Gary, and the Gardens) have all been spacious, well-maintained, quiet, and safe. There are several good places to dine on campus; however, it can get expensive. Parking and riding the bus can be hectic although it gets easier after the first few weeks of the semester. Sometimes the off-campus activities are limited, but there is normally something happening on campus.... Read 7,712 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $22,253

• SAT range 1140-1380

• La Jolla, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  3,923 reviews

Sophomore: So far UCSD has been an amazing second home, with so many resources available to me. I have ventured out of my comfort zone by joining clubs and meeting new people! The professors are always striving to help us students learn better and willing to lend a helping hand whenever we need further explanation. I have grown comfortable with my new environment and the school itself, and cannot wait to spend the rest of my undergraduate years here at UCSD.... Read 3,923 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 34%

• Net price $15,632

• SAT range —

• College Park, MD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  5,531 reviews

Junior: The University of Maryland is truly a place like no other. Stepping foot on campus is like walking into an alternate universe. The students are excited, the campus seems to become more beautiful everyday and the list goes on and on. I have had such an amazing experience at Maryland so far and it can all be attributed to the spirit, culture and personality of the school. All professors are willing to lend a hand whenever needed and meeting new classmates each semester will always be one of my favorite parts. The classes offered are very interesting as they range from the psychology of happiness to Brazilian cinema, you can truly do it all here. I would not change anything about my experience this far academically but one thing I would like to see is a larger presence at our football games. We have so much spirit and we should all be going to cheer the players on! Other than that University of Maryland is truly a special place!... Read 5,531 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 52%

• Net price $17,146

• SAT range 1330-1510

• Minneapolis, MN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  4,806 reviews

Senior: The UofM Twin Cities is an amazing public university! It offers just about any program you can think of and many of these programs are ranked extremely well in the United States, as well as around the world. Much of the faculty is involved in groundbreaking research, which enables students to be involved in research as well. The academic standards are rigorous but not too demanding to be successful. The location in the Twin Cities is wonderful for access to opportunities in the community for internships and partnerships. There are tons of student groups and activities for students to get involved in, which helps makes the large school feel smaller and offers opportunity to build a close knit community here. Having Division I sports means there is always a fun sporting event to go to, many of which are free for current students. There is a fair amount of diversity, although this is an area I would like to see growth in. I also would like to see a decrease in tuition costs.... Read 4,806 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 73%

• Net price $17,468

• SAT range 1310-1490

• Fort Worth, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  1,711 reviews

Senior: TCU has an incredibly inclusive and supportive community. The professors genuinely care about their students and want their students to succeed. Many have their PhD, with years of real-world industry experience. They are great resources as mentors both in an outside the classroom. The school spirit of TCU is unlike any other school. Students are incredibly proud to be horned frogs and hold lots of school pride. This year, students have been calling TCU an "everything school" because of our success in academics and across all sports. TCU has a great campus, with state-of-the-art buildings and facilities. The dorms are well-equipped and updated, and the recreation center is a great facility. The dining hall food in the BLUU isn't great, but there's plenty of dining options on campus (a healthy smoothie bar, chick-fil-a, Peet's, flatbreads, etc.) and others on University Avenue. Fort Worth is full of culture and has great restaurants/places to explore. Overall great people, great place!... Read 1,711 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 54%

• Net price $42,574

• SAT range 1130-1350

• Lawrence, KS•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  3,419 reviews

Sophomore: Absolutely thrilled with my experience at the University of Kansas! From top-notch professors who genuinely care about their students to a vibrant campus life, KU has exceeded my expectations. The diverse range of academic programs allowed me to explore my interests, and the sense of community here is truly special. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!... Read 3,419 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 92%

• Net price $18,608

• SAT range 1090-1330

• Cincinnati, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  4,080 reviews

Graduate Student: As a current graduate of the University of Cincinnati, I am ecstatic to share my overwhelmingly positive experience! The university's commitment to academic excellence and supportive faculty truly stood out during my time there. The diverse and vibrant campus community fostered a welcoming environment, encouraging collaboration and cultural enrichment. Cutting-edge research opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities further enriched my learning journey. UC's emphasis on practical skills and real-world applications prepared me for a successful career ahead. I am forever grateful for the lifelong friendships and professional networks I developed. Without a doubt, the University of Cincinnati is an exceptional institution that has empowered me to achieve my dreams!... Read 4,080 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $20,827

• SAT range 1150-1350

• Pullman, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.78 out of 5  4,053 reviews

Freshman: My overall experience has been great! I feel very welcomed and accommodated on campus, and the support from staff and students is amazing! When I first arrived, I was immediatley offered help with moving into my dorm and my RA swiftly came to introduce herself to me and my family. Classes have begun this week, and my professors are all supportive of students and want to help everyone be successful in their classes. Although I am just starting out here, I can't imagine anything but great experiences in the future!... Read 4,053 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 86%

• Net price $11,877

• SAT range 1020-1210

• Richardson, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  2,552 reviews

Alum: About me: 12/2022 alum, Healthcare Studies major, off campus, Texas resident. SIZE: Large (20k undergrads, 50+ majors across 7 schools). My classes could range from 20-200. Never felt overwhelmed by the class size. LOCATION: Suburban. Very quiet, very safe. Never felt uneasy at night. Around 20-30 min away from downtown Dallas. Good for studying. MAJORS: There’s a little more focus on STEM/ computer science/ healthcare. However, the business school (JSOM) is really good! Has received national and international recognition. HOUSING: Dorms are pretty big. One dorm set up has 3 separate rooms, each w/ doors, bed &desk. And within that dorm with the three rooms, there’s a living space, an area w/ 3 sinks, and a bathroom that locks. Very spacious. STAFF: Mostly good. Only a few bad apples. STUDENT BODY: Pleasantly diverse! ATMOSPHERE: Serene. EXTRACURRICULARS: No football. Chess, academic clubs. There are a lot of active culture clubs! TL;DR: Life is what you make it here.... Read 2,552 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 87%

• Net price $12,924

• SAT range 1220-1450

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  1,182 reviews

Senior: MSMU has been my home away from home. As a first-generation college student, transitioning from high school to a university was challenging. Yet, through an ISAE program I joined as a freshman, I have stayed on track with my academics while being involved with school events. ISAE is a program dedicated to helping first-generation college students fulfill their academic goals! This program has been vital to my success as it offers regular checkups regarding student progress and opportunities to connect with faculty and other students. Additionally, what makes the Mount special is that all the professors I have encountered throughout my college career have always cared exceptionally about my success and are willing to answer any questions. As far as something I would change, that would be increasing the acceptance rate for nursing school; seeing first-hand the nursing shortage, we need to offer more students the opportunity to pursue a nursing profession.... Read 1,182 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 90%

• Net price $24,508

• SAT range 900-1110

• Wesson, MS•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  224 reviews

Freshman: I liked that the community college itself is well organized just like other institutions are having three different campuses of the same college. It's school that is not very expensive and makes a great start to earning any sort of degrees in particular. They also have technical programs that many students can be involved in to have prior experience of working in the field of their desired occupation they want to go for. Colin also works hand to hand with many financially supportive organizations and programs in which they offer a lot of assistance to any student's needs throughout college. Colin also does a lot of community events as well, along with different fairs that would include Job fairs, College fairs, and even Career fairs in which students can learn more about their major in college. In my personal opinion, I believe that Copiah Lincoln Community College is a great place to start when it comes to pursuing a degree and transferring to other schools as well!... Read 224 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,168

• SAT range —

• Saint Paul, MN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  499 reviews

Junior: Metropolitan State University is the only college I have attended and still do attend. I love that the staff at Metropolitan state care for their students. They care about people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. They care about people of all ages such as teens, those who are 25+, single fathers, and mothers as well. They provide so many services such as child care, housing, food, tutoring, and more. I know that other colleges may provide some of the same services, but with Metro I am constantly reminded that I am cared for. I love how inclusive they are and it makes me feel very welcomed. I genuinely love being a student at Metropolitan State and would recommend this college to anyone and everyone!... Read 499 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $16,830

• SAT range —

• Bellingham, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  2,342 reviews

Senior: Bellingham, the town in which WWU is located, is the perfect college town. You can escape to the nearby mountains or stay in town and enjoy the stunning water views and enjoys hiking or walking nature trails. You can also head downtown for a taste of the city to enjoy bars, restaurants, and fun activities. The environment is truly unmatched. The school itself has beautiful original buildings as well as newer modern building housing the renovated Carver gym and science labs. My only complaint would be that since WWU tries to be so progressive sometimes topics that don't feel like they have a place being discussed in certain classes will arise. For some people this is fine but for me personally, I like to stick to the class material and not other political or highly opinionated matters unless it fits the class. Housing in this area can also be pricey so you have to start looking early!... Read 2,342 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 96%

• Net price $11,388

• SAT range 1090-1310

• Detroit, MI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  698 reviews

Sophomore: The university is private and small, so most of the professors can focus on student’s individually. The campus is somewhat old, which I would consider to be a downside. The students are extremely hard working and motivated for success. I notice that all the students are interested in participating in club activities and excelling in them. The students really want to make a difference. It has many downsides when compared to the outer appearance of big universities, but it’s really beautiful on the inside.... Read 698 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 93%

• Net price $17,911

• SAT range 1060-1250

• Moraga, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  1,100 reviews

Freshman: Saint Mary’s has a unique energy unlike any other campus. The students are positive, inclusive, connected and yet very serious about their studies. There is a lot of fun on campus. There is not much drinking since you have to be over 21 and really there is more for us to do. Greek life is non existent. But that just means we create our fun by way of pool parties, BBQs, games, day trips, etc. There is a “party” scene here but a very safe and clean one - which is fantastic. I cannot thank Saint Mary’s enough, I love it! They check all the boxes of a fantastic school and a home away from home.... Read 1,100 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $25,022

• SAT range 1070-1240

• Athens, TN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  202 reviews

Junior: I am a transfer student with an Associates in Fine Arts ; my transfer was extremely effortless as well as campus housing . Wesleyan University is very welcoming you feel right at home. They are still working on my 504 accommodations that process seems slow even though that paperwork was delivered 5mths ago. Disability services needs an update, probably more people in that department to insure a good paper trail to students information especially with personal information. Hopefully my issue will be resolved before classes start 08/14.... Read 202 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 60%

• Net price $15,072

• SAT range 930-1180

• Marshall, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  467 reviews

Freshman: My experience here at East Texas Baptist University has been distinguished compared to my high school experience. What I like about this university is that everyone here is so friendly and open-minded. Every interaction I have had with my fellow students and teachers has been pleasant and productive. I enjoy the chapel services that are help every Monday and Wednesday as it is just such a joyful and uplifting experience. Not only do they provide a great chapel service, but they also provide endless amounts of volunteering opportunities to help us gain experience and service hours. Serving the community in Marshall has been nothing more than a outstanding experience. I am a teachers assistant every Monday and I also contribute voluntary work in my schools Honors program. The only thing is that it is a little on the expensive side, but I think the academic and Christian scholarships provide a good amount of support for every student.... Read 467 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 65%

• Net price $23,885

• SAT range 920-1120

• Longmeadow, MA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  684 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at Bay Path has been positive. Professional relationships with teachers thrive in a small school setting. Through my classes, I have created connections with professors who have assisted in getting me an on-campus job as a peer tutor for writing and human disease. They always have their doors open for a fun chat! My professors are deeply invested in my success, and they motivate me by emphasizing the importance of creating connections with people in my future field, Occupational Therapy, to ensure I reach my full potential. Academically, Bay Path surpasses its competing universities, but the social scene needs help. Being a small college, many students commute or go home on the weekends. This creates a rather slow social scene, especially because it does not organize a lot of campus events or activities to further build a community. There were only three campus-wide events that were universally interesting enough to attend. Some change is needed, but I enjoy the school.... Read 684 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 75%

• Net price $18,664

• SAT range 940-1150

• Maryville, TN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  384 reviews

Other: I am actually an upcoming freshman at Maryville, and I am going to be playing for their softball team. So far, I really love Maryville College. The counseling staff is amazing, they are friendly and work fast to answer all of my questions. The campus is beautiful and smaller, so I won't have to worry about navigating a large campus. And I am very excited to be joining their softball program, it is a drama free environment which is definitely a relief. I am very excited to be continuing my education at Maryville College! Go Scotts!... Read 384 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 68%

• Net price $22,320

• SAT range 1100-1320

• Denver, CO•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  3,058 reviews

Freshman: I took a huge risk traveling from Las Vegas to be admitted into MSU, and I am so glad I attend this university! I’ve enjoyed it so far, and have met some lovely people. I enjoy the resources the university offers and take full advantage of it as well, such as tutoring, the health center, and the gym! A change that would be greatly appreciated by myself and many of my peers is regards to the FAFSA. I have tried to take advantage of the resources but in the grand scope of things, I still have a difficult time being able to pay my tuition since I am an out of state student. I deeply feel if there were more opportunities for students like me to have a guideline or plan to be able to pay tuition confidently. Regardless, I really love this place and look forward to the rest of my years here.... Read 3,058 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 89%

• Net price $14,195

• SAT range 910-1140

• Utica, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  777 reviews

Sophomore: UU's environment is overall positive and welcoming and meeting new friends is easy. The school prioritizes learning and student success, and most professors have that same philosophy. However, there is a professor here who unapologetically uses racial slurs and diversity could be more of a priority as many POC students here have less support and have to deal with things like that professor.... Read 777 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 89%

• Net price $22,335

• SAT range 830-1050

• Portland, OR•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  238 reviews

Junior: I like that the school is small. This allows smaller class size and more interaction with the instructors (5:1 student to instruction ratio). I am very curious about the courses I need to take to complete my psychology degree (also wondering if I should add a minor). Also, will be playing basketball there, and I like that the gym is accessible for me any time of day so can improve. I can't really think f anything that I would like to see change. I'm entering my first year there (I'm a transfer student) and am really looking forward to starting in the fall.... Read 238 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $19,332

• SAT range —

• Grand Rapids, MI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  717 reviews

Freshman: Hello! I attend Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI. I have enjoyed my time at the university so far. To begin, the faculty in admissions and registration are open, honest, and kind. I have appreciated all they did to help in my entrance to college. Next, I have been overwhelmed by the respect that the professors have towards my learning. Cornerstone is a smaller sized college in terms of student numbers, so I have less people in my classes and more connection with the professors. Lastly, I have appreciated the students around me and in my degree. The people that attend Cornerstone have displayed nothing but politeness and positivity to me. However, I will be honest in why Cornerstone was given a 4 star rating. Their core curriculum classes have much more weight than most colleges possess, and many degrees struggle to fit in all of the credits for 4 years with the curriculum classes. Overall, I still believe that Cornerstone is a good fit for many, and I recommend!... Read 717 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $20,780

• SAT range 970-1220

• Cheney, WA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  1,738 reviews

Other: I have yet to experience the atmosphere of Eastern Washington University as I am transferring from Bushnell University in Eugene, Oregon. However, in the enrollment and registration process, I can already tell I am going to love it there as my academic advisor is already ten times better than my last. I feel heard at Eastern so far which is more than can be said for my time at Bushnell. My time at Bushnell ended traumatically, and I am hoping Eastern provides me with a fresh start. I am hoping to earn this scholarship as I have no other way of paying for school. In transferring I lost my academic and athletic scholarships from Bushnell and I am unable to work due to injuries. This will not stop me from attending Eastern, a school with my dream physical therapy program!... Read 1,738 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 97%

• Net price $13,650

• SAT range 880-1090