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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

56 Colleges in the United States
3,184 Early Childhood Education Degrees Awarded
$46,600 Avg Early-Career Salary

Early Childhood Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 143 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best early childhood education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Early Childhood Education in the Middle Atlantic Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the early childhood education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Early Childhood Education

1
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

No school ranked higher than New York University this year for early childhood education. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 24 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from New York University generally make around $54,901. New York University graduates carry a median of $19,455 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at New York University

2

University Of Delaware is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $48,587. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for University Of Delaware

3

Anne Arundel Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #3. This large public university is located in the suburb of Arnold. About 29 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Anne Arundel Community College in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,947. Get the full early childhood education details for Anne Arundel Community College

4
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. About 70% of students finish within six years. Towson University awarded about 63 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $56,953 in their early career. Towson University graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Towson University

5

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in early childhood education, ranking #5. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 230 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Read more about the early childhood education program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

6

The College Of New Jersey placed #6 among the best early childhood education schools. The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Ewing. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from The College Of New Jersey earn around $58,526 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at The College Of New Jersey

7

Fordham University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 12 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $59,403 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,643. See the full early childhood education program report for Fordham University

8
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #8 position for early childhood education this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 72 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny City College in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $57,296 early in their careers. Cuny City College graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Cuny City College

9

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #9 among the best early childhood education schools. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 135 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the early childhood education program at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

10
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Rowan University awarded about 38 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $64,645 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,488. Get the full early childhood education details for Rowan University

11
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College placed #11 among the best early childhood education schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 67 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $51,986 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Cuny Hunter College

12

Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #12 spot for early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 162 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $48,574. Typical student debt for the program is $10,862. Read more about the early childhood education program at Cuny Brooklyn College

13

Cuny Queens College placed #13 among the best early childhood education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Queens. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 48 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Cuny Queens College in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Cuny Queens College earn around $46,208 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,100 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Cuny Queens College

14
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Salisbury University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Salisbury University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Salisbury University earn around $50,544 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,804 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Salisbury University

15

William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #15 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. William Paterson University Of New Jersey graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at William Paterson University Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $59,208. William Paterson University Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $24,671 in student loans. See the full early childhood education program report for William Paterson University Of New Jersey

16

Pennsylvania Western University earned the #16 position for early childhood education this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 141 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the early childhood education program at Pennsylvania Western University

17

Pace University New York placed #17 among the best early childhood education schools. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 30 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Pace University New York in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $75,725 early in their careers. Pace University New York graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Pace University New York

18

Suny College At Cortland came in at #18 for early childhood education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Cortland. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Suny College At Cortland awarded about 15 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Suny College At Cortland earn around $43,977 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,902. Read more about the early childhood education program at Suny College At Cortland

19

University Of Scranton ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 24 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of Scranton in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $41,182 early in their careers. University Of Scranton graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in early childhood education from University Of Scranton

20

Lebanon Valley College landed the #20 spot for early childhood education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Annville. About 65% of students finish within six years. Lebanon Valley College awarded about 22 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Lebanon Valley College generally make around $51,300. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the early childhood education program at Lebanon Valley College

21

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #21 among the best early childhood education schools. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 92 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $50,484 in their early career. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

22

Saint Francis University placed #22 among the best early childhood education schools. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Francis University in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Saint Francis University earn a median of $63,097 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,729. Get the full early childhood education details for Saint Francis University

23
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA

Messiah College earned the #23 position for early childhood education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 19 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Messiah College in the most recent year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $50,389 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the early childhood education program at Messiah College

24

Cuny Lehman College came in at #24 for early childhood education this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Cuny Lehman College graduates 51% of students within six years. Cuny Lehman College awarded about 51 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $62,489. Typical student debt for the program is $13,213. Get the full early childhood education details for Cuny Lehman College

25
Susquehanna University crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA

Susquehanna University landed the #25 spot for early childhood education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Selinsgrove. Susquehanna University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 19 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Susquehanna University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Susquehanna University earn around $44,685 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full early childhood education details for Susquehanna University

Rest of the Top 50 Early Childhood Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s early childhood education ranking:

26
Camden County College crest
Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ
27
Elizabethtown College crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA
28
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY
29
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
30
31
32
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE
33
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD
34
35
36
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA
37
38
Cedar Crest College crest
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA
39
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA
40
Holy Family University crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA
41
42
Desales University crest
Desales University
Center Valley, PA
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 143 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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