Best Child Development Schools in Indiana (2026)

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Indiana Child Development At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median Child Development Salary $47,074
Salary Outlook Indiana offers competitive wages for child development professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body Indiana Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online child development degree in Indiana offers a flexible path into child development careers. Indiana offers competitive wages for child development professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Indiana students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Child Development Schools in Indiana

The following schools offer accredited online child development programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Indiana.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
86.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 78%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $72,424
Avg net price $14,600/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 92%
  • Programs offered: 198

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, IN
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
50.1 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 72%
Graduation rate 43%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $48,318
Avg net price $6,079/yr
Tuition
In‑state$8,675
Out‑of‑state$16,094
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 67%
  • Programs offered: 52

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN
  • 2 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
49.2 BOC Score
Graduation rate 38%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $37,186
Avg net price $7,258/yr
Tuition
In‑state$5,154
Out‑of‑state$9,935
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 176

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Indiana

Child Development professionals in Indiana experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Indiana.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (Indiana)
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $36,650
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare $58,740
Child, Family, and School Social Workers $50,470
Childcare Workers $30,180
Special Education Teachers, Preschool $48,680
Social and Human Service Assistants $44,550
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education $58,250
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $49,070

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Child Development Degree in Indiana?

Choosing a program in Indiana can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Indiana offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Indiana economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online child development programs in Indiana accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Child Development pay in Indiana compare to other states?

Indiana offers competitive wages for child development professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Indiana a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for child development in Indiana?

The Indiana Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Indiana. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Child Development Programs by City in Indiana

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Anderson · Auburn · Bloomington · Brownsburg · Carmel · Clarksville · Columbus · Crown Point · East Chicago · Elkhart · Evansville · Fishers · Fort Wayne · Franklin · Gary · Goshen · Greenfield · Greenwood · Hammond · Highland · Hobart · Indianapolis · Jeffersonville · Kokomo · La Porte · Lafayette · LaPorte · Lawrence · Marion · Merrillville · Michigan City · Mishawaka · Muncie · Munster · New Albany · New Castle · Noblesville · Plainfield · Portage · Richmond · Schererville · Seymour · Shelbyville · South Bend · Terre Haute · Valparaiso · Vincennes · Warsaw · West Lafayette · Westfield · Zionsville


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