2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 143 schools to find the best return on investment for early childhood education students.
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2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Frederick Community College earned the #1 spot for value among early childhood education schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $10,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for early childhood education. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,986. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $10,862 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $48,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $57,296. That is a strong return on a $9,916 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,100 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $46,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,100 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #6 spot for early childhood education value this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $62,489. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Camden County College placed #7 among the best values for early childhood education. Camden County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blackwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $8,750. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $21,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #8 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Carroll Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Students borrow a median of $17,398 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Carroll Community College generally make around $49,058. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #10 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,450 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $25,289. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
Montgomery College came in at #11 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $24,833. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College placed #12 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $25,854. Set against $13,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmoreland County Community College landed the #13 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Bucks County Community College placed #14 among the best values for early childhood education. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $19,993 early in their careers. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wor Wic Community College earned the #15 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. Students borrow a median of $13,995 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Wor Wic Community College earn a median of $51,392 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,995 median debt.
Hagerstown Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Students borrow a median of $15,126 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $46,478. That is a strong return on a $15,126 median debt.
Coppin State University placed #17 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Baltimore, Coppin State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,100, compared with $14,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $33,865. Early Childhood Education graduates of Coppin State University earn a median of $53,215 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #18 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,450. Early Childhood Education graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College came in at #19 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
College Of Southern Maryland earned the #20 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $51,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harford Community College placed #21 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $12,624. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College earned the #22 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,581. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $28,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #23 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,796 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $26,956. That is a strong return on a $13,796 median debt.
Howard Community College came in at #24 for value in early childhood education this year. Howard Community College is a large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $4,599 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,836. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $18,115. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $56,172. That is a strong return on a $18,115 median debt.
Monroe College Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in early childhood education this year. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,464. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $21,450 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $58,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s early childhood education value ranking:
Narrow Early Childhood Education Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 143 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
