Students enrolled in an online degree in child development program will prepare for a number of jobs in an array of high-demand fields: early childhood education, intervention, psychology, public policy, research, advocacy, sports, social work, and speech-language pathology. Degrees in this field are available at the associate, bachelor’s and master’s levels, and provide the necessary training for graduates to work with children at all stages of development in various settings.
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of preschool and childcare center directors is expected to increase by 8% through 2031. Individuals in this role can expect to earn a median annual salary of $47,310. Additionally, jobs for childcare workers are expected to increase by 6% during the same time period. The median salary for these workers is $27,490 per year.
The average cost of an online child development degree program will vary. Tuition for undergraduate students averaged $7,869 at public schools and $37,095 at private schools during the 2021-22 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The agency reports that average tuition for graduate programs was $12,394 and $26,21 at public and private schools, respectively.
How to Choose an Online Child Development Degree Program
Choose your area of study
Students should start by considering their professional goals to ensure they select a program that will prepare them for their desired career trajectory.
First-time college students can consider an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in child development. Professionals who are looking to build on existing experience or prepare for a career change can explore Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) degrees.
The majority of programs are located in either the education or social sciences departments of colleges. As a child development major in one of those departments, graduates might work toward earning teacher certification. Students should familiarize themselves with popular areas of study before making a choice:
- Child’s social and emotional growth
- Individual and family development
- Language development and emergent literacy
- Applied research methods
- Infants and toddlers
- Children’s literature
- Ethics in early childhood
Find out if an area of study requires in-person orientation, labs, or other activities in person before choosing courses that will strengthen your career after graduation.
Research schools and programs
When conducting research, it’s always a good idea to confirm that any schools and programs you’re considering are accredited. Attending an accredited institution ensures that students are getting a high-quality education, and will be eligible for federal financial aid, educational opportunities at other post-secondary institutions, and future employment. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accredited schools in the U.S. At the programmatic level, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredits degree-granting programs in this field.
Other things to consider when researching schools are the program’s delivery format (synchronous, asynchronous or hybrid); the faculty; hands-on learning experiences like internships, and support services for online students.
Most schools and programs maintain robust websites that provide answers to these questions. Students can also learn more about programs that interest them by following schools on social media, attending virtual open houses or information sessions, and contacting program representatives and admissions counselors directly. ther options
Prepare for tests and applications
An admission counselor can explain the school’s application procedures and requirements and answer any questions about the process. Application demands differ from school to school, so it’s also a good idea to maintain a spreadsheet or checklist with requirements and due dates.
Generally speaking, students will have to submit the following:
- Completed application and fees
- Official transcripts from all schools previously attended
- Letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, or community leaders
- An application essay explaining why you are a good fit for the program
- A resume or CV highlighting jobs, experience, extracurricular activities, and positions of leadership
Undergraduate students may be required to submit SAT or ACT scores, while graduate programs may require submission of GRE scores. Additional application requirements for graduate students may include a bachelor’s degree in a related field, specific undergraduate coursework, or a minimum undergraduate GPA.
Select your program
Students should review and compare all information they’ve gathered about schools before selecting the one(s) to which they’ll apply. There’s no right or wrong number of schools to apply to; some students submit multiple applications, to increase the odds of acceptance, while others focus on a single program based on their particular needs and interests. Most schools charge application fees, so applying to a large number of schools can get pricey.
Once students receive their acceptance letters, they should consider factors like cost, financial aid offers, and program quality to determine which school they’ll attend.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Get in touch early with the school’s financial aid office to help you understand the cost of the program and what financial aid resources are available. If you haven’t yet completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), now is a good time to fill out this form. Schools use the information on the FAFSA to determine eligibility for institutional need-based aid like scholarships and grants, federal student loans, and work-study funding.
Students should also explore other avenues of funding, including merit-based scholarships and grants from external organizations, employer tuition assistance benefits, and military discounts and GI Bill benefits, if applicable.
Top 21 Best Online Child Development Degree Programs
Institution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
Appalachian State University
Intelligent Score: 99.78Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $4,242
Out-of-state: $19,049
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $4,839
Out-of-state: $4,839
Test scores
SAT: 1070-1240
ACT: 22-27
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$203
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online, On-Campus
ACCREDITATION
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
Central Michigan University
Intelligent Score: 98.63Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $12,296
Out-of-state: $22,881
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $14,223
Out-of-state: $14,223
Test scores
SAT: 1000-1210
ACT: 20-26
Central Michigan University’s Early Childhood Development and Learning major as part of a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Applied Arts, or Bachelor of Science degree, is a four-year program that prepares you for a career in early childhood education. The curriculum uses training guidelines set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. You get a chance to apply your knowledge in the campus’s Child Development and Learning Laboratory, where you work directly with three- and four-year-olds. Meanwhile, you also get to obtain first-hand experience in local field placements. Program highlights include a poverty simulation, where you experience what it’s like to live as a family in need or work with limited resources, and the student groups Child Life Student Association and Reimagining Early Childhood (REaCh).
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$440
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online, On-Campus
ACCREDITATION
Higher Learning Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
Eastern Washington University
Intelligent Score: 96.05Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $6,707
Out-of-state: $24,676
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $12,015
Out-of-state: $12,015
Test scores
SAT: 880-1090
ACT: 16-23
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$296
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online, On-Campus
ACCREDITATION
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
Point Loma Nazarene University
Intelligent Score: 94.9Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $37,600
Out-of-state: $37,600
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $11,880
Out-of-state: $11,880
Test scores
SAT: 1100-1290
ACT: 23-28
Point Loma Nazarene University’s (PLNU) Bachelor of Arts in Child Development is a full four-year, 120-credit degree program that can be completed online anywhere in the world or on community college campuses in and around San Diego, California. As a Christian university, PLNU emphasizes holistic development and seeks to support you as you grow not just as a student but as a person. This approach is particularly well suited to the study of child development because the field takes a similarly holistic approach. PLNU offers extensive mentorship and career counseling, and has multiple pathways for helping you complete your degree if you’ve already earned some credits elsewhere.
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$1,252 - $1,775
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online, On-Campus, Hybrid
ACCREDITATION
WASC Senior College and University Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
Fresno Pacific University
Intelligent Score: 93.94Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $32,954
Out-of-state: $32,954
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $14,940
Out-of-state: $14,940
Test scores
SAT: 930-1110
ACT: 16-22
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$1,248
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online, On-Campus, Hybrid
ACCREDITATION
WASC Senior College and University Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
Missouri State University
Intelligent Score: 93.71Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $6,840
Out-of-state: $15,510
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $5,436
Out-of-state: $5,436
Test scores
SAT: 1020-1220
ACT: 21-27
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$348
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online
ACCREDITATION
Higher Learning Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
University of North Florida
Intelligent Score: 93.56Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $3,996
Out-of-state: $16,799
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $8,570
Out-of-state: $8,570
Test scores
SAT: 1040-1230
ACT: 20-27
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
Resident: $175
Non-Resident: $655
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online
ACCREDITATION
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
Kansas State University
Intelligent Score: 92.99Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $9,375
Out-of-state: $25,251
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $10,212
Out-of-state: $10,212
Test scores
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$450
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online
ACCREDITATION
Higher Learning Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
University of Southern Mississippi
Intelligent Score: 92.51Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $8,786
Out-of-state: $10,786
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $8,786
Out-of-state: $8,786
Test scores
SAT: N/A
ACT: 19-26
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$389
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online
ACCREDITATION
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Intelligent Score: 92.39Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $8,976
Out-of-state: $25,320
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $10,134
Out-of-state: $10,134
Test scores
SAT: 1030-1230
ACT: 21-27
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
In-State: $180 - $249
Out-of-State: $376 - $401
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online, On-Campus
ACCREDITATION
Higher Learning Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
122
Pacific Oaks College
Intelligent Score: 91.6Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $11,692
Out-of-state: $11,692
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $38,328
Out-of-state: $38,328
Test scores
SAT: Not Required
ACT: Not Required
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$890
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online
ACCREDITATION
WASC Senior College and University Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
Maryville University
Intelligent Score: 90.27Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $24,766
Out-of-state: $24,766
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $14,346
Out-of-state: $14,346
Test scores
SAT: N/A
ACT: N/A
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$525
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online
ACCREDITATION
Higher Learning Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
128
California State University, East Bay
Intelligent Score: 87.55Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $5,742
Out-of-state: $17,622
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $7,176
Out-of-state: $7,176
Test scores
SAT: 870-1060
ACT: 15-20
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$583
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online, On-Campus
ACCREDITATION
WASC Senior College and University Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
West Virginia University
Intelligent Score: 85.77Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $8,976
Out-of-state: $25,320
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $10,134
Out-of-state: $10,134
Test scores
SAT: 1030-1230
ACT: 21-27
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$439
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online
ACCREDITATION
Higher Learning Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
Stephen F. Austin State University
Intelligent Score: 84.82Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $7,842
Out-of-state: $18,858
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $5,262
Out-of-state: $5,262
Test scores
SAT: 980-1150
ACT: 18-24
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
Resident: $441
Non-Resident: $479 - $966
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online
ACCREDITATION
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
Oklahoma State University
Intelligent Score: 84.27Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $5,357
Out-of-state: $20,877
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $5,531
Out-of-state: $5,531
Test scores
SAT: 1020-1250
ACT: 21-28
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$435
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online, On-Campus
ACCREDITATION
Higher Learning Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
Eastern Kentucky University
Intelligent Score: 84.02Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $9,266
Out-of-state: $19,338
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $9,900
Out-of-state: $9,900
Test scores
SAT: 950-1170
ACT: 19-25
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
$421
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online, On-Campus
ACCREDITATION
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120-125
Western Michigan University
Intelligent Score: 82.44Undergraduate Tuition
In-state: $12,094
Out-of-state: $15,118
Graduate Tuition
In-state: $16,360
Out-of-state: $16,360
Test scores
SAT: 1010-1220
ACT: 20-27
ESTIMATED COST PER CREDIT
Resident: $577
Non-Resident: $721
DELIVERY FORMAT
Online, On-Campus, Hybrid
ACCREDITATION
Higher Learning Commission
REQUIRED CREDITS TO GRADUATE
120
How We Rank Schools
This list focuses on online degree programs in child development and related fields. These programs are available at nonprofit, accredited institutions, either public or private, with high standards of quality for post-secondary education. We reviewed fully online and in-person/online hybrid programs.
We evaluated each degree program on factors like tuition costs, faculty, reputation, student resources, and admission, retention, and graduation rates. We then calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
We also compared our picks to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect From An Online Child Development Degree Program?
An online child development degree program will help students expand the theoretical knowledge and practical communication skills required to advance in their child development careers and help children excel. Coursework draws from a variety of disciplines like psychology, biology, and sociology. Students examine social, medical, and cultural factors that might affect how children learn and develop. Some programs for childhood development concentrate on psychology and sociology. Other typical programs include assessment studies to observe and assess children. Several child development curricula concentrate on family dynamics.
Studying pedagogical theories and the practical application of these theories is central to the program. Students will learn distinct ways to advocate for families and children, communicate with a wide range of different people, and be community partners. Various online programs for child development require a capstone project, in which learners design and implement a project related to their area of study.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online child development degree program
- Language Development and Emergent Literacy. Students explore the cognitive process of language development. They receive tools to provide early literacy skills effectively.
- Young Child With Special Needs. Classwork prepares learners for work in a wide range of diverse backgrounds and levels of ability. Individuals explore advocacy, educational intervention, and legislative dilemmas.
- Child Social and Emotional Growth. Learners study the factors that influence and add to children’s interpersonal relationships and self-perception.
- Children’s Literature. This class teaches how to use children’s literature to fortify and develop a curriculum. Students learn how to create classroom communities that are culturally responsive.
- Applied Research. Enrollees polish research skills. Their goal is to solve problems faced by individuals or communities.
Online Child Development Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online child development degree program?
A counselor from the school’s admissions office can answer any questions about application procedures, prerequisites, and deadlines. Begin early by making a list of the most important dates and deadlines.
Most schools accept applications and supplemental materials through their website. If you’re applying for an undergraduate program, find out if your school accepts the Common Application, which allows students to apply for multiple colleges with one application. Some materials, like transcripts and test scores, must be sent directly from the school or testing agency to be considered official.
How much does an online child development degree cost?
For undergraduate students, tuition in bachelor’s programs averages $7,869 at public schools and $37,095 at private institutions, according to the NCES. At the graduate level, public school students pay an average of $12,394, while private universities charge an average of $26,621. Students should also confirm their tuition rate with the school prior to enrolling.
Schools also typically charge fees for things like technology, labs, and student support services. Students should also budget for learning materials such as books, computers, and internet access.
Online learning has some cost-saving benefits. The flexible schedules may allow students to work full- or part-time while enrolled, so they can have a steady income. Students also save money on transportation and room-and-board expenses.
How long does it take to earn an online child development degree?
Program enrollment time can fluctuate depending on the student and the program. Each student’s pace and prior education can influence how long it takes to attain a degree. Usually, students enrolled in bachelors in child development degree programs finish in four years if they’re studying full-time. Part-time students may take five or six years to finish. At the graduate level, programs can take 1-3 years to finish, depending on enrollment status. .
Other elements that could determine how long it takes to graduate include:
- A student with an associate degree in child development might transfer those previous credits to lessen the time to attain a bachelor’s degree
- Students carrying more credit hours every semester or enrolled in summer school might complete the program quicker
- Any type of experiential learning activity has the potential to lengthen enrollment time