Best Child Development Schools in Tennessee (2026)

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Tennessee Child Development At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median Child Development Salary $47,654
Salary Outlook Tennessee offers competitive wages for child development professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body Tennessee Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online child development degree in Tennessee offers a flexible path into child development careers. Tennessee 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, Tennessee students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Child Development Schools in Tennessee

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

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

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
91.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $91,565
Avg net price $15,846/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 96%
  • Programs offered: 157

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
74.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 71%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $60,249
Avg net price $18,976/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 91%
  • Programs offered: 143

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

Roane State Community College

Harriman, TN
  • 2 year
  • Offers a fully online program
59.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 36%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $39,407
Avg net price $4,270/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 31

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Jackson State Community College

Jackson, TN
  • 2 year
31.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 28%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $35,224
Avg net price $6,236/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 19

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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Career Outlook and Salaries in Tennessee

Child Development professionals in Tennessee 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 Tennessee.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (Tennessee)
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $34,280
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare $49,200
Child, Family, and School Social Workers $56,310
Childcare Workers $29,660
Special Education Teachers, Preschool $59,550
Social and Human Service Assistants $40,310
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education $58,070
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $53,850

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


Why Pursue an Online Child Development Degree in Tennessee?

Choosing a program in Tennessee can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Tennessee 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 Tennessee economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online child development programs in Tennessee 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 Tennessee compare to other states?

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

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

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


Online Child Development Programs by City in Tennessee

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

Atoka · Bartlett · Brentwood · Bristol · Chattanooga · Clarksville · Cleveland · Collierville · Columbia · Cookeville · Dyersburg · East Ridge · Farragut · Franklin · Gallatin · Germantown · Greeneville · Harriman · Hendersonville · Jackson · Johnson City · Kingsport · Knoxville · La Vergne · Lebanon · Maryville · Memphis · Morristown · Mount Juliet · Murfreesboro · Nashville · Oak Ridge · Sevierville · Shelbyville · Smyrna · Spring Hill


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