2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in New York
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong early childhood education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value early childhood education schools.
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2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in early childhood education in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,500. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $51,986. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $10,862 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $48,574 early in their careers. Set against $10,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $9,916 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $57,296. Set against $9,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $62,489. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $13,100. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $46,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College landed the #6 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $23,693. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe College Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. 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. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $21,450. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $58,194. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #8 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $26,999 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,659. That is a strong return on a $26,999 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #9 position for value in early childhood education this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $32,485. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College landed the #10 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $63,434. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia placed #11 among the best values for early childhood education. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $32,515. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny College At Oneonta placed #12 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $36,629. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #13 position for value in early childhood education this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $37,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Bryant And Stratton College Online placed #14 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Orchard Park, Bryant And Stratton College Online is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,274. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $22,055. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Bryant And Stratton College Online generally make around $21,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Cortland earned the #15 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,902 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $43,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill landed the #16 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the town of Cobleskill, Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $23,490. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $31,793. That is a strong return on a $23,490 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University At Buffalo placed #17 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
New York Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for value in early childhood education this year. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,560. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,435. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from New York Institute Of Technology generally make around $48,726. That is a strong return on a $25,435 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Mount Saint Mary College came in at #19 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Newburgh, Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Mount Saint Mary College earn a median of $65,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Saint Mary College admits about 89% of applicants.
Utica College placed #20 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,930 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of Utica College earn a median of $53,602 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Utica College admits about 92% of applicants.
Manhattanville College landed the #21 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,604. Students borrow a median of $25,372 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $46,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #22 position for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $43,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
St Johns University New York earned the #23 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $56,340. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Wagner College landed the #24 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Wagner College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,200. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $61,515. Set against $26,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University earned the #25 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,487 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $51,037. That is a strong return on a $25,487 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in early childhood education:
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
