2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in New York
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong early childhood education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
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2027 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. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $10,862. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $48,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for early childhood education. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $57,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $62,489 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for early childhood education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,100 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #6 for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,854 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $23,693. Early Childhood Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #8 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $26,999 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,412. Set against $26,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Mercy College placed #9 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #10 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $32,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Monroe College Main Campus landed the #11 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,464 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $21,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $32,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #13 among the best values for early childhood education. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $37,784. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Bryant And Stratton College Online landed the #14 spot for early childhood education value this year. Bryant And Stratton College Online is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Orchard Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,274. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $22,055 in student loans. 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.
Manhattanville College earned the #15 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $42,782. That is a strong return on a $25,372 median debt. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Utica College placed #16 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Utica College earn a median of $53,602 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University At Buffalo placed #17 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $45,008. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill came in at #18 for value in early childhood education 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. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill generally make around $31,793. Set against $23,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Cortland ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,902 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $43,977 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
New York Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for early childhood education. New York Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $46,560. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,435. Early Childhood Education graduates of New York Institute Of Technology earn a median of $48,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York Institute Of Technology admits about 81% of applicants.
Mount Saint Mary College placed #21 among the best values for early childhood education. Mount Saint Mary College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $43,450. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $65,715. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Wagner College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Wagner College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $26,997. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $61,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Nazareth College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,210. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early Childhood Education graduates of Nazareth College earn a median of $46,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
St Johns University New York placed #24 among the best values for early childhood education. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $27,000. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $56,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Adelphi University placed #25 among the best values for early childhood education. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,487. Early Childhood Education graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $51,037 early in their careers. Set against $25,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
