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2024 Best Value Colleges for Early Childhood Education in Pennsylvania

38 Ranked Colleges
1,675 Degrees Awarded
$18,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 32,920 people earned their degree in early childhood education, making the major the 34th most popular in the United States.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 1,675 early childhood education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking looked at 38 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in early childhood education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality early childhood education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the early childhood education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania

The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania child development students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Early Childhood Education in Pennsylvania

1
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West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #1 on our 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania list. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a fairly large school located in West Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 233 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania child development students list, WCUPA has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WCUPA is $21,484 for pennsylvania child development students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full WCUPA Early Childhood Education Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Delaware County Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania. Delaware County Community College is a public institution located in Media, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 63 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Delaware County Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $10,459 for pennsylvania child development students per year to attend Delaware County Community College.

Full Delaware County Community College Early Childhood Education Report

3
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Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, Pennsylvania

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 55 degrees to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kutztown University, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $23,227 for Pennsylvania Child development students per year to attend Kutztown University.

Full Kutztown University Early Childhood Education Report

4
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Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harrisburg Area Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania list. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s child development degrees to 80 students in 2020-2021.

HACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for HACC is $11,608 for pennsylvania child development students.

Full Harrisburg Area Community College Early Childhood Education Report

5
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Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania. Bloomsburg is a public institution located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Bloomsburg also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Bloomsburg is $20,639 for pennsylvania child development students.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

6
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Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 76 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

Millersville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Millersville is $23,133 for pennsylvania child development students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Millersville University of Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education Report

7
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California University of Pennsylvania
California, Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Cal U is located in California, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania child development students list, Cal U has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal U is $19,117 for pennsylvania child development students.

Full California University of Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education Report

8
Ship crest
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Ship is a public institution located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Ship also took the #14 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is $23,006 for Pennsylvania Child development students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

9
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Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #9, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania list. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

Edinboro also took the #22 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $16,363 for Pennsylvania Child development students per year to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

10

With a ranking of #10, Northampton County Area Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania list. This medium-sized school is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 46 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,162 for pennsylvania child development students per year to attend Northampton County Area Community College.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Northampton County Area Community College

11
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Bucks County Community College
Newtown, Pennsylvania

Bucks County Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #11. Bucks County Community College is located in Newtown, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,336 for Pennsylvania Child development students per year to attend Bucks County Community College.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Bucks County Community College

12

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania list. Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is a medium-sized school located in Indiana, Pennsylvania that handed out 14 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

IUP also took the #18 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IUP is $22,828 for pennsylvania child development students.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

13
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Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #13. Lock Haven University is a public institution located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $21,245 for pennsylvania child development students per year to attend LHU.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Lock Haven University

14
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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania that handed out 39 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $19,927 for Pennsylvania Child development students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SRU Early Childhood Education Report

15

Clarion University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #15. This small school is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 28 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

Clarion University also made our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Clarion University of Pennsylvania is $19,452 for pennsylvania child development students.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

16
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. East Stroudsburg University is located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

East Stroudsburg University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is $20,141 for pennsylvania child development students.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

17
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Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania

Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #17 spot on the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Lehigh Carbon Community College is located in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s child development degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend LCCC is $6,897 for Pennsylvania Child development students.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at LCCC

18
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University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown
Johnstown, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #18, University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania list. University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown is a public institution located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown is $17,457 for pennsylvania child development students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown

19
Mansfield University crest
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield, Pennsylvania

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is $11,793 for pennsylvania child development students.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

20
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University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg
Greensburg, Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #20. Pitt Greensburg is a small school located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 8 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Pittsburgh - Greensburg is $16,369 for pennsylvania child development students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Pitt Greensburg

21
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York College of Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania

York College of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #21. Located in York, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 27 degrees to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

YCP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend YCP is $22,233 for pennsylvania child development students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Early Childhood Education at YCP

22
Pitt Bradford crest
University of Pittsburgh - Bradford
Bradford, Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh - Bradford landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. University of Pittsburgh - Bradford is a public institution located in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Pitt Bradford is $16,003 for Pennsylvania Child development students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Pitt Bradford Early Childhood Education Report

23
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Arcadia University
Glenside, Pennsylvania

Arcadia University landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Glenside, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 18 degrees to qualified ’s child development students in 2020-2021.

Arcadia also took the #12 spot in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Arcadia University is $28,574 for pennsylvania child development students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at Arcadia

24
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Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Chestnut Hill College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. CHC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 39 ’s child development degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania child development students list, CHC has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CHC is $24,202 for Pennsylvania Child development students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Early Childhood Education at CHC

25
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Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Messiah University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Child development Schools in Pennsylvania ranking. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s child development degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania child development students list, Messiah has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Early Childhood Education Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Messiah is $26,864 for pennsylvania child development students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Messiah Early Childhood Education Report

Notes and References

References

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