2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 58 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value early childhood education schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania
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
For return on investment in early childhood education, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $25,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Bucks County Community College one of the best values for early childhood education. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,125. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $19,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Westmoreland County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in early childhood education will find it at Lehigh Carbon Community College, which ranked #4. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $26,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holy Family University came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $53,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #8 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Students borrow a median of $16,838 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $30,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $35,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Francis University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,388 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,729 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $63,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the rural area of Cheyney, Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $10,904 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,870. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,128.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #13 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $47,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,194 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,770 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,644. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Bradford earn a median of $36,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg earned the #16 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, University Of Pittsburgh Greensburg is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,710, with out-of-state students paying around $26,584. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $36,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $45,145. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $37,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #19 spot for early childhood education value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $36,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #20 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $50,484. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
La Salle University placed #21 among the best values for early childhood education. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $54,618. Set against $25,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #22 for value in early childhood education this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Carlow University placed #23 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,874. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,596. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
La Roche College landed the #24 spot for early childhood education value this year. La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,052. Students borrow a median of $31,617 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $45,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Marywood University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. In-state tuition and fees average $41,420. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $42,049. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for early childhood education this year:
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
