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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania

29 Colleges in the United States
1,736 Early Childhood Education Degrees Awarded
$42,240 Avg Early-Career Salary

Early Childhood Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 58 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 Pennsylvania

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

No school ranked higher than West Chester University Of Pennsylvania this year for early childhood education. 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. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 230 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. See the full early childhood education program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

2

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 135 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

3

A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the top schools for early childhood education. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 141 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Pennsylvania Western University

4

University Of Scranton came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 early childhood education degrees were awarded at University Of Scranton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $41,182. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from University Of Scranton

5

Lebanon Valley College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Annville. Lebanon Valley College graduates 65% of students within six years. Lebanon Valley College awarded about 22 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $51,300 in their early career. Lebanon Valley College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Lebanon Valley College

6

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best early childhood education schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. About 92 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $50,484. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full early childhood education details for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

7

Saint Francis University came in at #7 for early childhood education this year. Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Loretto. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Francis University awarded about 23 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Saint Francis University generally make around $63,097. Typical student debt for the program is $30,729. Read more about the early childhood education program at Saint Francis University

8
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA

Messiah College placed #8 among the best early childhood education schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Messiah College graduates 75% of students within six years. About 19 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Messiah College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $50,389. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full early childhood education details for Messiah College

9
Susquehanna University crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA

Susquehanna University earned the #9 position 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. There were roughly 19 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Susquehanna University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Susquehanna University earn around $44,685 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Susquehanna University

10
Elizabethtown College crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA

Elizabethtown College came in at #10 for early childhood education this year. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Elizabethtown College in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $50,725 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Elizabethtown College

11
Duquesne University crest
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 56 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Duquesne University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $39,774. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Duquesne University

12

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 77 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,319 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,435 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

13

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. About 58% of students finish within six years. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 103 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $45,145. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania

14

York College Pennsylvania placed #14 among the best early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. York College Pennsylvania awarded about 20 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $44,194. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the early childhood education program at York College Pennsylvania

15
Grove City College crest
Grove City College
Grove City, PA

Grove City College landed the #15 spot for early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Grove City, Grove City College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Grove City College awarded about 13 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full early childhood education details for Grove City College

16
Cedar Crest College crest
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Cedar Crest College graduates 60% of students within six years. About 15 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Cedar Crest College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $67,662. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete this degree. Read more about the early childhood education program at Cedar Crest College

17
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

Arcadia University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Arcadia University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Arcadia University earn around $54,496 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete this degree. Get the full early childhood education details for Arcadia University

18
Holy Family University crest
Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University placed #18 among the best early childhood education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 23 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Holy Family University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Holy Family University generally make around $53,228. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the early childhood education program at Holy Family University

19

Widener University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Widener University Main Campus awarded about 14 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $44,840 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Widener University Main Campus

20
Desales University crest
Desales University
Center Valley, PA

Desales University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 21 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Desales University in the most recent year. Students who receive their early childhood education degree from Desales University earn around $46,852 in the first couple years of their career. Desales University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full early childhood education details for Desales University

21

Delaware County Community College came in at #21 for early childhood education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Media. There were roughly 53 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Delaware County Community College in the most recent data year. Early Childhood Education graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $25,854 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,340. More information about a degree in early childhood education from Delaware County Community College

22

Northampton County Area Community College landed the #22 spot for early childhood education this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. There were roughly 33 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Northampton County Area Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $26,956 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,796 to complete this degree. See the full early childhood education program report for Northampton County Area Community College

23

Lehigh Carbon Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best early childhood education schools. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 23 early childhood education students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh Carbon Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $39,957 in their early career. Lehigh Carbon Community College graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Lehigh Carbon Community College

24

Saint Vincent College earned the #24 position for early childhood education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Latrobe. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Vincent College awarded about 10 early childhood education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $44,278 in their early career. Saint Vincent College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the early childhood education program at Saint Vincent College

25

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #25 position for early childhood education this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 77 early childhood education degrees were awarded at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the early childhood education program make about $37,966 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full early childhood education program report for Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania

Rest of the Top 39 Early Childhood Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong early childhood education education:

26
27
28
29
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA
30
Chestnut Hill College crest
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA
31
32
33
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA
34
35
36
37
Carlow University crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA
38
39

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 58 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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